I love the way you used wells and water in this post. it reminds me of some translations of the Bible to guard our hearts because from it flow the springs of life. When we are careful with our hearts as well as others, it makes us see how precious all lives are.

Yes, Anna. I agree once you have the courage to tell a story, it just flows from you and gives a wonderful shared experience for the listener(s) and the teller.

I have various collections of things in my house. I find that telling the story behind it makes them easier to keep. Thanks for the blueprint, I may keep more things in my house.

Like you, I realized what a gift patience is. I don't even get mad at myself anymore when I don't get to everything I'm supposed to do. Great story, Mario.

I'm enjoying this time by baking, catching up on old magazines but somehow I can't seem to get to that closet. But, like you I'm giving myself a break which I've never done in the past. Great blogpost, Kaden

Thank you VERY much for the tips. I just found out that my church's children group is reaching out for stories. I don't know all the details yet, but I will definitely refer to this post. That reminds me, I need to get out of my nightshirt.:)>

What a story. It's to remind us that life goes on. Funny, I was halfway watching Book TV last night and it was featuring non fiction writing about the same subject of your book. The best takeaway was that the actions in all realms of life was virtually the same as they are now.

Beautiful story. This reminds us no matter what is going on in our lives, love, friendship and generosity are always appropriate.

Marilee, what a wonderful reminder of the importance of having an attitude of gratitude.

Beautiful poem, Linda. It gives a picture of this time and reminds us about our humanity.

Thank you for this Liz, I'll use this post for class.

Your post made me remember when I "discovered" storytelling. The story of your niece knowing how to start a story reminded me that I discovered storytelling when I was about her age and the joy I felt when rediscovering it as an adult. Keep telling, and remember that you have a community here that will always love to support you.

Marian: I found myself laughing throughout your story. It wasn't because I was laughing at your pain, it was because it's so relatable. I really enjoyed your post.

Elizabeth, WOW! the work you and other agencies do is amazing. You put a person in place where others just see a label. Keep telling these stories so that others might see that homelessness affects people and not just some abstract category.

The rule in my house was, we will buy you a car when you finish college. So that car was a Mazda GLC in tan. The car I hung out the most in during high school was my best friend's Ford Fairlane 500, a hand me down from her brother. Ooh if that car could talk...

Keep testistoryfying. Ok I know that is no such word, but not only are you helping yourself, your family and friends you are helping a lot of persons that you will never know.

WOW! I can't wait to read your book. Of course then you have to tell us stories about how the book was written. I can't wait to hear those, either.

I worked in a call center for many years, selling travel. We had training after training on listening skills. I wish I had started taking story telling classes before my job. Storytelling teaches the importance of listening in a gentle but impactive way.

I'll have to remember his analogy the next-oops I mean my first time sailing. Great post

Anna, I also feel that the story leads your telling. It can also adapt itself to your telling environment. I can tell the same story but the story can have me leave out things in one environment only to have me emphasize that same thing in my next telling. That's the joy of storytelling, that the story is never the same no matter how many times you tell it.

Like you, I had a love for books at a very early age. My childhood favorite is "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats. Other childhood favorites was Dr. Seuss's "One Fish, Two Fish" and "Green Eggs And Ham". When I was in my tween years there was nothing like a Nancy Drew book. I also enjoy John Grisham's novels and Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird". One of my favorite authors is Maya Angelou.

I'm glad you're finding your niche of teaching storytelling to a community that has such a rich story base.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I can tell it had a positive effect on you by the new stories you tell. We need to get a group of us going to the NSN soon.

I'm glad the little girl is back. That's what got me into storytelling. I felt my creative side had gone the way of Rip Van Winkle. Don't let that little girl take too may naps ever again.

I always appreciate your love for the work that you do. With your WONDERFUL storytelling ability, they should make you storyteller in chief.