One of my freelance writing customers here in Olympia is a garden center. Three times each week I do a blog posting for them, and this past week I made mention of the kids’ section of the store where there are gardening tools for children, and how those items would make great Christmas gifts.
I love that section of the store because I love what it stands for: parents sharing with their children the love of gardening. I look at that section and I imagine a mother out in the garden with her five-year old, telling the small child that soil is a living thing, and how, from that soil, other living things will grow, and how it is all the grand circle of life, cue the Lion King music.
And many of those young children will grow up loving gardening and urban farming because that love was passed down from their parents.
I love that stuff! I seriously get misty-eyed when I think about it.
And then I think of Sam and Delores Conrad, next-door neighbors of mine when I was a five-year old, them both being in their nineties at that time, and them taking the time to tell me stories of their trip out west in a wagon, back in the 1860’s, and how those stories came alive for me, the wonders of storytelling, man, the passing of history down from generation to generation, just as it has always been done since the first walker on this earth told his son, or daughter, tales of brave Ulysses, and lost souls crossing the River Styx.
And I felt then what I feel now, a sense of pride, to be a part of the storytelling tradition. It’s a small thing, really, in the grand scheme of things, this storytelling gig, when you think about world events, it really doesn’t match up with the Emancipation Proclamation or the Bill of Rights . . .
Or does it?
Just random musings from an old man.
If you are so inclined, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs, thanks, and love to you all!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
On our way home now from Disney and just had to stop in to wish you a very, Happy Thanksgiving this week too now, Bill 🙂
Thank you Janine! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Happy Thanksgiving – I agree, we all should put our journeys down on paper for the next generations to learn from.
Thank you Mike, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Bill, I think storytelling is huge in the grand scheme of things. Tales and experiences we pass down through the generations are much more memorable and effective than The Bill of Rights or the Emancipation Proclamation. Honesty, I can’t recite either one, but I sure remember the stories my grandfather would tell me about our Cherokee heritage! What our elders pass down becomes a part of us. I don’t think any history book can touch us in that way.
You and Bev have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Bill!
I agree with every word, Sha, and I thank you for that.
The holidays are upon us, a whirlwind of activity and family love. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your son, my friend.
I love that idea too! What a great way to bond with your children!
Thank you Honey. I appreciate you stopping by. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Have a great time story telling and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you Donna, and Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.
Thank you Bill.
Nice thoughts and great past . Continue the storytelling and have a fantastic Thanksgiving. Higher blessings.
Thank you Manatita, and Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Storytelling is a gift and one I adored all through my years and still do today. hearing tales of past generations, hardships, life the whole full circle is fascinating and really intrigues me. i could listen for hours as a child being read to. Hearing about your blog reminds me of my mum and how she passed on her love of gardening to me and I am passionate about how it all “works”, have a great week, happy Thanksgiving my friend and hugs from across the waters!
Thank you Irish! I hope storytelling doesn’t go the way of the dinosaur. I think we all lose if it does.
Have a peaceful, productive, and loving week, my friend.
Some weeks ago my granddaughter Mia and I had a lot of fun when she had to do a gardening project. She was supposed to submit 3 vegetables grown by herself in a pot, with tutorials “How to grow xxx”
I believe gardening, especially concerning food production, should be a compulsory school subject in primary schools.
Thought-provoking post, Billy! You have given me a bright idea re Christmas gifts.
I think that is fantastic, Martie….what a great activity for you and your granddaughter…bravo!
The wonders of storytelling. You are a natural, Big Bro. And I just *love* the stories our elders have to tell. There’s so much wisdom and vibrance to those stories. Across from the way, we have a neighbor who’s 94 who still lives on her own. She’s as sweet as she can be. Two other neighbors look after her. But when I get a chance, I love to take her flowers and visit and hear her stories. 🙂 Sending you big hugs from Cacklack. Happy early Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Lil Sis…I would love to meet that neighbor of yours. So many stories she has in her.
Happy Thanksgiving! I love the art of storytelling and believe it is a lost art today.
Thank you Shall and Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Of course, it measures up! It still does. Yes, we have newspapers and news shows, but it is parents, grandparents, the man on the street, the storyteller who puts all these world events into a context we can all understand and appreciate.
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
For sure, Zulma! I can’t imagine a civilization without storytellers, my friend.
Great holiday! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful as well.
I love the thought of passing that contact with the earth on. When I was younger I had a little corner in the garden that was mine, so I could plant what I wanted and I loved that. It’s great to be able to pass skills and knowledge down the line – and people have such wonderful stories that we don’t often really listen to. I used to volunteer for a reminiscence project where older people were prompted to talk about their memories, and I used to love visiting my Aunt Peg who had so many fabulous stories. Perhaps it’s experiences like these that fed into my becoming a storyteller.
I love that you had your own little corner of the garden, Andrea! I think that is a beautiful gift to give a child. Thank you for sharing that reflection.