Reflecting on the experience, Ruthie determined, "Sometimes it is easier to share a story with a stranger than with someone you know."  She continued, "I am constantly talking to people and people tell me their stories many times."

One look at this retiring 60-year-old Kindergarten teacher and you will want to share stories with her.

Being encircled about by five and six-year-olds since 1972, Ruthie's favorite part of the day was to sit down and to tell them a story.

She laughed, "I many not have their attention for the rest of the day. . .but had their attention for stories!"

Her father had a way of telling stories from the Civil War or the mines of the Tennessee area.  Ruthie exclaimed, "My dad would do anything to make people laugh.  If he had to strip naked, he would!"

As for her mother, troubled stories "leaked" out due to the rough upbringing.  Ruthie's compassion grew, knowing what her mother experienced.

Ruthie "recorded" these stories to memory, which she had done since a child.  "I held onto those stories and tried to make sense of my life through those stories."

Ruthie preferred to learn stories by listening than by books.  People who can memorize or internalize literary works can fascinate her. 

One day, during the East Tennessee State University storytelling program, Ruthie listened as a lady with an Education background performed, "When the People could Fly".  Ruthie had read that story several times before, but it came alive when she told it.  She remembered, "The lady could tell it in such a way that your heart was torn out."

Ruthie discovered that she had a gift to childhood stories as well as tell Jack tales of the Appalachian area.

Still pursuing the Storytelling Masters, Ruthie proclaimed, "God wants me as a certified storyteller, but He wants to use me in his own way."

She does not expect storytelling to support her financially, but she does see spiritual fulfillment especially in regards to families.

She said, "I'm hoping that as I see families dissolving that storytelling is how we get to know each other. . .that people remember the stories and tell them to their children and make families stronger."

As for her daughter, Ruthie declared, "I want to remind her of who she is. . .how important she is in my life."

Thank you, Ruthie.

You are one of the many who reminds others of the importance of their lives through storytelling.

Few storytelling organizations could claim a brand. . .or even a shared story told by their members. Corporations like Aflac, Target, and Kinko's have welcomed the use of stories by customers, employers, and employees as the main focus of their websites.  These top companies are not alone.