What’s Your Story?

I often watch a program on TV called The Story Trek where the host travels across the country knocking on anonymous doors and asking people to tell their stories. “What story?” they ask. “Whatever story you want.” The surprise is that most agree. Some tell sad, heartbreaking stories while others share old, wartime stories or how they came to this country. The beauty is that every story is unique. 

During my weeks of physical therapy, I found much the same thing in the waiting area of the therapy center. Sometimes the closed caption TV, which showed how to knit, paint, and more, brought comments from people. But other times, the conversation simply flowed. 

One day, a lady told me how she came to the U.S. from Mexico as a teenage bride and settled in Texas where she learned English by watching TV. “It’s been so long since I spoke Spanish that I’ve almost forgotten it,” she said, without a trace of an accent. I was shocked and asked, “Didn’t you speak Spanish in your home?” She did not. “Why?” I asked, totally mesmerized with her story. “I figured it would be easier for my kids in school if they were raised totally English speaking. But now, I wish I had taught them my native tongue,” she said with a smile and a hint of regret. Having studied Spanish in college, I told her I also had forgotten much of the language since I hadn’t used it regularly. We agreed that the old adage, “If you don’t use it you lose it,” must be true and that we needed to get together and speak a little Spanish to refresh our memories.

Then I was called back to therapy and never saw the woman again. Each PT session would present a different person and a different conversation because everyone has a story! And one thing I know. If The Story Trek ever knocks on my door and asks if I want to tell my story, I’ll definitely say, “Yes.” What story will I tell? Hmmm, I just might tell about the months of sheltering-in-place during the Covid-19 pandemic!

About The Author

Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows.LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.