Don't forget the stories

One of my numerous Great-aunts told this story about herself. When her first grandchild was about three years of age, he got int the jam and was found with incriminating evidence smeared all over his face. My Aunt said to him, "Why did you get into the jam?" Surprised that his misdeed had come to light, the tiny boy asked, "How did you know?" "I'm not a dumb as I look" was the reply. To which the toddler retorted, "You couldn't be!"
Gibbons, Francis Marion and Helen Bay Gibbons, Nana and The Judge, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1978.

In our constant search for sources and citations, it is a good idea not to forget the stories that bring the dates and places alive and made our ancestors real people. To get an idea what storytelling is all about, visit one of the frequent storytelling festivals around the country. It will be an experience you will long remember and may start a tradition in your own family. For a listing of festivals near you, visit The Call of the Story. If you are fortunate enough to visit one of these events, you might look forward to attending the National Storytelling Festival, to find out more, visit the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee. One of the other major events is the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Orem, Utah. There are many, many more festivals throughout the country.

I warn you, hold onto your wallet, you just may come away with a whole stack of CDs containing some of the most touching, funny, sad, wonderful stories in the world.