stories

That's mostly what I came to Missouri for -- my father's stories. He just turned 96. This man can remember an amazing amount of information about his life and the community he has lived in all this time. He talks non-stop in a rambling way, moving between generations and subjects.

Yesterday we spent about two hours together, digital recorder running so that I can capture his voice. My job was to ask prompting questions, and then listen. His was to talk. At about noon I suggested that we take a break until after dinner (lunch is dinner on the farm). He said, "Well... no, you want to talk some more?" which really meant, 'you want to listen some more?' With that he lay back down on his day bed and waited for me to ask the next question.

His stories come to life in the telling, and so does he. Another resurrection.