Chris has always told me that I can get anyone to tell me anything. It’s pretty accurate. I have “the gift” and somewhere along the way I have gifted that gift to him as well.

I am not sure if it is because I appear to be approachable or have big ears ( do I?) or what, but for whatever reason one of my gifts is listening to others. I have found out things from listening to others that sometimes I wish I didn’t know but hey – if they feel comfortable sharing with me then so be it.

Lately I have been thinking a great deal about the stories that people have and I have had two definite nudges in the direction of acknowledging that. I have always, always, always said that everyone has a story. It’s true. It may not be obvious but if I talk to someone long enough I find out a part of their story.

I listened to Joanna Gaines’ audiobook this past week on Audible – The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters. It echoed a lot of the same things that I have always thought and I found myself nodding and agreeing with much of what she spoke about. Her mantra is that we all have stories. Yes. Indeed.

Another confirmation came at my branch AAUW (American Association of University Women) meeting . One of our members is an educator of 26 years in writing and she presented the program. The emphasis was on personal writing and memoirs and all through her presentation I found myself, again, nodding and agreeing with what she was sharing. As she closed she said “everyone has a story”. Yes. Again, yes.

I have thought a great deal about my story and I guess I write this blog to help share and preserve my story. My memory is just not what it used to be so writing things down, whether it is a to do list or a recounting of a trip or a place, helps me to keep that story, that memory or that item clear.

While my life has been anything but dull and boring, I believe that even the person that believes they have nothing to share in actuality has a lot to share. All it takes is an idea or thought, a pen and paper or computer and the time to write it. I have always been a lover of words and writing has been my joy over the years. I am not the best writer — I think I have a writing style that is very simple and basic. Someone once told me that I write like I talk. I think that is okay. It’s me. I don’t try to do flowery writing. I like to tell a story.

I think that is what I like about Sean Dietrich’s writing. He writes stories about everyday people but somehow with his words they become extraordinary. And after all, aren’t we all really extraordinary in our own way?

Thanks for stopping by to read today. I would love to hear your thoughts on your story. If you wrote about a part of your life what would it focus on? Tell me all about it in the comments and remember that each comment made on any post this month means a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause – St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.