"You've told me that one before."

I ended one of my favorite stories abruptly
and could not be coaxed into continuing.

My story telling momentum had been lost!

Okay, so I may have told that one before but it is a great story
and with the years has gotten even better.
For centuries storytellers were revered tribal members.

But as a child we are told not to tell stories and are severely
reprimanded for any stretch of the truth.
Yet, how often have I listened to my Dad's military stories or my mother's personal account of birthing her children?

My mother, actually, told wonderful stories. During breakfast she would relay her version of the 'Late Night Movie'. Her renditions were spell binding and, no doubt, better than the actual movie.

At some point we realize we have a collection of our own stories.
Stories that become a measurement of time.

We get together with old friends and family and retell stories. Stories of our youth and shared experiences.

They are retold so many times they become unparalleled
.
Over our lifetime we have listened to so many stories,
so many repeated stories that we have earned
a certain rite of passage.

That rite includes the telling and the retelling of stories.

So go ahead and tell me that I told you that one before.
No doubt it is a good story and I am just excerising
my rite of passage to tell it...

...... just once more.

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