People tell me their stories all the time--and I love it. I have friends who marvel that I talk to strangers, but meeting people and hearing their stories is mana for me. Also, years ago I heard a journalist from a small town in Idaho talk. He did something similar to the 60 minutes reporter, took the phone book, opened it a random, called someone up. He'd been doing it for years and he said he'd never, ever, found anyone who did not have a story. We're all carrying something, or many somethings, around inside us.
My favorite stories are from strangers on an airplane after my previous husband died. One person was a big game hunter but he did not tell many people and his ex wife was anorexic and he did not know it while he was married to her. As he relayed his tale and I relayed mine, the person next to him had a Bible open on his lap and never turned the page during the ride from Nashville to Detroit. On a trip from Philly to Seattle I sat near another man who told me his story too and it was a poignant one. I think he sort of fell for me during that ride. However, he was a big city person who played tennis and I was a country girl who did not. There is a lot more to that story and one I should write down one day. At the airport baggage terminal, I introduced him to my daughter. Later she said to me, “there is your friend, Mom.” And indeed for that 3 hours or so, he was my friend.
People tend to come to me with their problems or when they need advice. Mostly I feel very inadequate, but I guess I do have an empathetic heart. I think maybe hearing their struggles and my advice to them sometimes helps me along my own journey. Maybe I give others advice that I won't give myself, and I don't understand what I need until I say it to someone else.
I get the privilege of hearing patient's stories every single day. Ordinary people going through extraordinary times. It's what I love most about being a physician!
I love hearing peoples stories and the real treat right now is hearing more about yours! Wow, after loving your books so much for as long as you've been publishing them, this is a rare privilege. Thank you.
People tell me their stories all the time--and I love it. I have friends who marvel that I talk to strangers, but meeting people and hearing their stories is mana for me. Also, years ago I heard a journalist from a small town in Idaho talk. He did something similar to the 60 minutes reporter, took the phone book, opened it a random, called someone up. He'd been doing it for years and he said he'd never, ever, found anyone who did not have a story. We're all carrying something, or many somethings, around inside us.
So many somethings, yes. Thanks for that, Charlotte.
My favorite stories are from strangers on an airplane after my previous husband died. One person was a big game hunter but he did not tell many people and his ex wife was anorexic and he did not know it while he was married to her. As he relayed his tale and I relayed mine, the person next to him had a Bible open on his lap and never turned the page during the ride from Nashville to Detroit. On a trip from Philly to Seattle I sat near another man who told me his story too and it was a poignant one. I think he sort of fell for me during that ride. However, he was a big city person who played tennis and I was a country girl who did not. There is a lot more to that story and one I should write down one day. At the airport baggage terminal, I introduced him to my daughter. Later she said to me, “there is your friend, Mom.” And indeed for that 3 hours or so, he was my friend.
This made my day. Thank you.
People tend to come to me with their problems or when they need advice. Mostly I feel very inadequate, but I guess I do have an empathetic heart. I think maybe hearing their struggles and my advice to them sometimes helps me along my own journey. Maybe I give others advice that I won't give myself, and I don't understand what I need until I say it to someone else.
That sounds like the kind of wisdom many people need. 💕
I get the privilege of hearing patient's stories every single day. Ordinary people going through extraordinary times. It's what I love most about being a physician!
I never thought of that, but of course you do, and I'm sure you're a deeply empathetic listener.
I love hearing peoples stories and the real treat right now is hearing more about yours! Wow, after loving your books so much for as long as you've been publishing them, this is a rare privilege. Thank you.
Anne Wall
Glad you’re here, Anne.
Thank you, Mary. That is a way to listen, too, for sure! So glad to see you here.