Special License

May 31, 2017

Did you know there is a special license for people over 50? Yes, we have a license to tell stories and portions of stories over, and over. And, the story doesn't have to be exactly the same each time we tell it.

One of the best storytellers I know seems to enjoy retelling bits and pieces. I presume he thinks possibly we weren't in church the first time it was told, or if we were, we weren't paying attention. Certainly, if we were there and paying attention, within a few months, we wouldn't remember the details. Then again, he might be using his 50+ license.

I usually remember stories, but I welcome repeats. If I can rewatch the same movies and T.V. shows, surely I can enjoy a story told more than once. In my family, we love exchanging well-worn stories, especially those with a humorous twist.

My mother's family is from a small pottery town in northern Ohio. My grandfather and a large percentage of the residents made their living working at the pottery. The pottery eventually closed but thousands of pieces of Royal China are still circulating in homes and restaurants.

When my aunt travels, she always checks the china to see if it was made in Sebring. As the story is told, my aunt, uncle, and their youngest daughter were dining in a nice restaurant when my aunt started checking china. Without thinking, she lifted the small creamer and turned it over to read the imprint on the bottom. It was full of cream which spilled all over the table. Uncle Dave's and Michele's jaws dropped in surprise, which made the gaffe all the more funny to my aunt! I love listening to Aunt Peggy retell this story.

Last Sunday, while sitting next to my 86-year-old mother in church, our pastor was sharing a story that he recently included in an article that went out via email. My mother leaned over and whispered, "He already shared this in his article." You're not getting anything past her.

Well, Father David, we are present, we are listening, and we remember. We also appreciate repeats. If it's worth saying once, it's probably worth saying again.