Story Library

Grandmotherly Visits

Backstory

When my granddaughter read this story, she was disappointed. She usually likes my stories. But in this muse, she felt I was accusing grandkids of choosing not to spend time with me. I was not. My story wondered how they would choose to spend their time under Grandma’s roof.

Grandmotherly Visits

I remember riding on the train – backward. It made me dizzy. My grandmother would pick me up in Brooklyn and we’d take the train to her home in Northeast Pennsylvania. She would keep me for a couple of weeks, or a month and then take me back to my parents.

I loved those visits.

I expected I’d be doing the same thing with my grandkids when the time came. But that’s never happened. They’re far away. They’re busy. They have plans. I have plans. And somehow, the opportunity never presents itself.

My granddaughters have never poked through my jewelry box or worn my opera-length pearls. They have not ransacked my hat boxes and posed in my old Easter bonnets or waddled about in my high-heeled shoes.

I wonder what it would take for me to get one of them under my roof for a few weeks. Nothing short of kidnapping, I think.

Would they like it? Would they have wanted to hear the story of how an Asian craftsman took years to carve this ivory tusk? Would they serve tea in the same teacups from which their great-grandparents sipped? Would they enjoy looking through old photos and learning about relatives they have never met?

Or would they sit in my parlor playing video games or texting friends at home? Would the visit show how much I love them? Or bore them to tears?

Guess I’ll never know.

P.S. Those of us who seek to recreate happy events from the past might instead craft new memorable events in the present.

[Show #446]

Late Breaking Thanks

Backstory

You’ve probably received many thanks over the years. But how many do you remember? This story tells how to give thanks that are memorable and appreciated – especially if they are in a handwritten note.

Late Breaking Thanks

When you receive a gift, you no doubt give thanks to the giver. Your appreciation might be stated verbally, or penned in a thank you card, or sent through cyberspace. Or you may let everyone know you got a gift by thanking the giver on Facebook or Twitter. And that’s usually the end of the transaction.

But think about giving thanks again later. That’s when the giver will know you really did like the gift, and use it and enjoy it.

When you’ve worn that sweater for the 10^th time – tell the giver again how comfortable it is and how you think of them every time you wear it.

When that plant flowers for the fourth time and brings you joy – let the giver know how their gift keeps giving.

When your son is grown, tell him again how much you enjoyed the ashtray he crafted for you in second grade. Let your daughter know you still have that handprint she gave you for Mother’s Day when she was in the first grade.

Presents are such energizing things. They are worth far more than simple thanks at the time of their presentation. Bring them to life again years later just by renewing your thanks. You’ll conjure up sweet memories and smiles.

If you’re really lucky, you may hear from someone to whom you gave a gift long ago. Then you’ll know how good it feels to get late-breaking thanks.

P.S. Equally appreciated are late-breaking thanks to those providing help. The Samaritan who returns your lost cell phone . . . The neighbor who holds your parking space . . . The relative who can always be counted on as a last-minute babysitter. Make sure they all know how grateful you are for their help.

[Show #461]

Beautiful Words

Backstory

Our local newspaper had a charming little story about a subject of local interest. Reading through to get the facts, I was drawn to the specific words used by the author. They were lovely, melodic words. They led to mental meandering about words.

Beautiful Words

I started thinking about beautiful words. I wrote out phrases that I love to hear and wanted to share them with you. Then I Googled “beautiful words,” to see if anyone concurred with me.

Dictionary maker Robert Beard presented his hundred most beautiful words in the English language. They included bungalow…bucolic…demure… effervescent and propinquity. Lyrical words, to be sure, but none of them were on my list.

My favorite words are the ones that evoke strong emotions or memories or make me immediately give thanks. I love you … I’m OK…You look beautiful… Sweet dreams, Mommy. Now THOSE are beautiful words.

I also enjoy words that become a private family vocabulary. My family still refers to a theater where you watch the screen from your car as a DRAGON, instead of a drive-in. That’s what my young sister thought it was. How many families still refer to those long noodles as pasgetti instead of spaghetti, because it conjures up memories of a youngster’s precious mispronunciation.

Words spoken with old country flavor bring back loving memories. The Polish grandmother whose pat on the child’s head was accompanied by the phrase, “Gooda boy.”

Think of your own personal beautiful words…and enjoy the inevitable, private smile they create.

P.S. What are your favorite words these days? New definitions keep being invented for words. Are you following the trends or being left behind? The beauty of the words seems to have little bearing these days.

[Show #448]

Aptitude and Attitude

Backstory

In an age where blame and canceling permeate the culture, this company was determined to reverse the tide. They gave employees free reign to award each other for an outstanding effort. Here’s how it works.

Aptitude and Attitude

A large company hiring recent college graduates decided to choose people with attitude, rather than aptitude. The company had what it called its corporate DNA. It involved integrity, honor, and servant leadership. And it only worked, for people with the right positive and honest attitude.

One of their unique programs was called Teammate Dollars. If any employee saw a fellow worker go above and beyond, or caught someone doing something selfless, that person could reward their coworker with Teammate Dollars, good for buying things out of a catalog.

Anyone could provide the reward. No approval, no sanction by the boss. If you wanted to reward a fellow worker for what they had done or the help they provided, you simply requested whatever amount of Teammate Dollars you wanted to give.

You were given the dollars, and you gave them to your teammate. In a few sentences in the company email, you explained why the person got the reward, so everyone would know.

What a difference it made, that the opinion of folks in this company was so valued that they could authorize rewards all on their own.

Did people take advantage of this unique system? No, because their DNA was that of integrity and honor. What a concept.

P.S. It’s all a matter of trust, which starts with respect. And the whole thing comes under the umbrella of servant leadership.

[Show #422]

Christmas Past Revisited

Backstory

We are storytellers. When our family gets together, there always has to be time for folks to tell their stories. Christmas tales are particularly popular. So many warm and happy events – and those that evoke laughter all around.

Thinking of how much we enjoy them, I thought I’d tell you about them.

Christmas Past Revisited

One of my favorite rites of Christmas is when the family gets together and remembers Christmases past. We hear from each person; whether you’ve had 8 Christmases to date or 80. There is a willing audience to hear you tell about it.

Some eyes glaze over; others brim with tears as we remember loved ones with whom we used to share holiday meals and traditions and gifts and love. You can practically feel the spirit of those who used to share our lives and are here no more. How precious to bring them back to life in our memories and have them share a few holiday moments with us.

The younger family members will hear of how things used to be. The older members will probably recall family traditions or foods. We may be able to congratulate those who still carry out the traditions or lament that they exist no more.

In addition to telling our favorite Christmas stories, each person gets to tell what they are thankful for. The expected treasures are mentioned – love of the family, health, and making it through another year without a major tragedy. But what is often heartwarming is to hear how grateful people are for something small done for them that really mattered: a suggestion that helped solve a problem; a contact that resulted in beneficial networking, news about people who needed help so that we could provide it.

It’s all part of the family Christmas-telling tradition.

P.S.

As our family of locals shrinks and there are fewer oldsters and more little children, the storytelling changes a bit. As we go around the table, we may hear more about a new video game, the latest posts on Instagram, or delight over Taylor Swift’s latest lost love. These stories need to be cherished and valued as much as those about walking to and from school two miles, uphill each way. Throw in some microwave recipes, and you modernize Christmas storytelling.

[Show #511]

Christmas Decorations

Back Story

Every year, merchants present new decorations for the holiday. Modern themes are often glittery and colorful. It’s always a big decision whether to go contemporary and get new stuff or reveal in things old and traditional, coated with memories, secrets, and love.

Christmas Decorations

I do so look forward to dragging out all those tried and true Christmas decorations each year. I look forward to tub after tub of memories opened, explored, spruced up, and lovingly placed around our home.

The wreath chosen by my mother for its lush colors. The hand-made ornaments of my childhood. The treasured nutcracker with the year 1936 in my grandmother’s handwriting on the bottom. The wooden toys that march across my mantel each December. The collection of angels, each a gift from someone who decided to add to my unannounced collection.

With Christmas carols playing and candles burning, I can almost feel the presence of those I have loved over those years, paying their Christmas visit and adding to the smiles the memories bring. Some of my best times with them were during the holidays. So those special memories seem stored in the tubs, along with the garlands and tinsel, to be opened and celebrated and added to each year.

Here’s wishing you many fond memories of Christmas past and the makings of more during this holiday season. Annette Petrick, wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas.

P.S. Each year, when the Christmas boxes come out, I check hopefully for photos. I’d just love to see celebration moments captured for posterity. Alas, there are no photos. No matter how hard I look. I so admire people who remember to take the shot. Our people seem so busy enjoying each other that no one brings out their Kodak Brownie.

[Show #251]