Storytelling and Words

My immediate family is a loquacious bunch. We do not get together as much as we used to but when we do we gather around the dining room table at my parent's home and the almost competitive retelling life's many adventures begins. My Dad and brother are especially good storytellers. It could be because their adventurous lives...or it could be because of their "colorful language" (much to daughters' delight) or ...maybe because I know that their words are not only stories. They are living expressions of life...part of my life.

Words seem to be just small units. They are made up of a few letters. Simple really...but the use of words in language and in communication are another thing altogether. I have been thinking about this recently.  Venues like Facebook and even this blog allow us to use words to communicate and tell our own stories. It is quite remarkable! Amazing things are revealed because of this new era of storytelling.... Love, laughter and fun times are forever stored on the world wide web as well as grief and life's trials.

Words are powerful. They can be used  as easily to wound as to heal. The lack of  the use of words is just as dynamic.  Imagine a couple enjoying companionable silence... compared to the same couple who aren't speaking to each other.Powerful right..? To me words used in love are more valuable than all the worlds riches.

Fortunately for me, my family uses words and story telling for love. I know Dad still "yells" at us once in a while. But his intention is love...a long time ago when I was leaving home to join the Navy I smartly told him..."You won't be able to yell at me anymore.." to which he replied" I only yell because I care....."  Thanks Dad. Thanks for being one of the best storytellers ( and yellers) I know....Perhaps I will journal a few of your stories here on my blog.