All Southerners are natural-born storytellers. Sharing our lives with others, whether they like it or not, is part of our collective DNA. We love a good tale and are superfluous talkers. Ask the typical Southerner a question about a favorite food, and he or she is likely to tell you the entire recipe, the best restaurant that serves the dish, and directions for how to get there. In general, we are often eccentric with a terrific sense of humor, especially about ourselves— all of which helps to tell a good story. The slower sense of pace and accent all contribute to our history as conversationalists. 'Fixing to' and the gift of gab are part of our mission to keep storytelling an integral part of our culture and entertainment.
By sharing, we unite people and keep an ancient art alive, one story at a time. In that moment, whether it is on a church pew, in a beauty parlor, or at your kitchen table, by inviting a person into your world, acquaintances become friends, and friends develop into family.
My grandmother was nicknamed ‘Radio’ early on in life. While she loathed the name, it never once gave her pause from incessantly talking. Her stories typically started out about a neighbor or relative but always morphed into multiple tales with never a proper ending; she would pick up where she left off the next time you sat down beside her. While I’d give anything to hear her voice one more time, I know she is sitting on Heaven’s front porch and saving her best stories for me.
When you communicate with another person—even a complete stranger—something meaningful happens to you. Not only do you understand yourself better, but you are also, in some small way, understood. You establish a bond that is strong and immediate; you cut six degrees of separation down to zero. Stories keep us open and alive. I guess that is why I decided to share my stories with you. Commonality is the foundation of humanity, and it is hard to judge someone once you’ve been invited to hear their story. So come on in and sit for a spell. My John Lewis Rolling Pin is just like my front door, always revolving. Here you are family…welcome home.
