In which the annual story round-up is waiting in the wings (pun)

The annual onslaught of stories is about to begin.

If you are new to this tradition, the brief explanation is that instead of giving stuff to celebrate winter holidays, I hand out small booklets of stories--and I also post each of the stories here on the blog.

The longer explanation is HERE

2009 stories begin HERE

2010 stories begin HERE 

2011 stories begin HERE  

2012 stories begin HERE 

2013 stories begin HERE

2014 stories begin HERE 

2015 stories begin HERE

2016 stories begin HERE

2017 stories begin HERE

2018 stories begin HERE

2019 stories begin HERE

2020 stories begin HERE

This year's stories circled around themes of parents and children...but, to my surprise, also had a recurring "bird" theme.   I seriously can't plan things like this, they just happen organically!

To get everyone ready for stories of wise and foolish parents in stories, I queried some very wise storytellers and asked them to share wisdom they had learned from their parents, and included their "wise quotes" in this year's booklet.

So here ya go:  just a bit of wisdom to get you ready for the stories.

ADVICE:

Celebrate your mistakes for the learning they bring.  

--Carol McCormick’s parents

Never go into a place you wouldn’t want to be found dead in. 

--Joe Doolittle’s dad

You never know what you can do, until you have to.  

--Patricia Rose Ballard Coffie’s mom

Never give advice. Unless someone asks for it. And even then you should be really careful.

--Kimberly King’s dad

The secret to happiness is to discover what you most long for and gift that from your soul to the soul of the world. 

--Nicola-Jane le Breton’s mum

Don't take yourself too seriously. -- Daire Seaman’s dad

Learn to listen.   -- Anabelle Castaño’s mom

Make your bed and the whole room looks organized.

-- Judith Heineman Shuldiner’s mother

Do whatever you want until they tell you you can’t.”

-- Claire Nolan’s father

One hour of sleep before midnight is worth two hours after. 

 -- Marilyn Ashby McPhie’s mother

Never say the words, “I can’t” unless you end the sentence with the word, “yet”.

-- Harvey Heilbrun’s advice to his son.

When on the job, keep your hands out of your pockets.

-- Andrew Laufer’s dad

You have it within you to become a tenured pain in the butt.  

--Aarene’s mom

Seasonal stories will post here on the blog every day until New Year's Eve. Please feel free to forward links and share them with your friends--stories are intended to be shared!