Real People with Interesting Lives

     I have met some very interesting people over the last few years. They are not celebrities by today’s standards; they're much more. They live their lives through their passions and dedication to their families.  They don't seek fame or fortune but their achievements are amazing.  Sometimes they are forced into difficult situations that bring about hard decisions but they persever.  You won't find their achievements or escapades on a Facebook post because they don't boast about them; many don't even know or care about social media.

     It's unlikely that you would ever recognize them or even realize that their life has been special.  You could be standing next to them in the checkout line at the grocery store and not know of their interesting life.  These are private hard working people that have strong beliefs.  Most of them are from a generation that will soon be just a memory but they will share stories of their life if you ask. 

     Some of the stories they tell or sad, some happy but all are interesting tales from the past that will be lost if left unheard.  I have spoken with WWII veterans telling combat stories, interesting stories about meeting famous entertainers, playing ball as a kid with Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola, hopping a freight train to California for the summer, building a street race car, attending all 27 Cardinal home games or a detailed description of a family tragedy.

     It’s fun to see them laugh as they are telling a story and hard when they tell a tragic story of their life but in either case these are stories about real people that are important to know.  Sometimes close relatives don’t know some of these stories, which is unfortunate because this history is part of their life as well. 

     Once someone passes without telling his or her stories that history is lost forever.  Life stories are important and I believe telling these stories extends a persons life in some way at least to the relatives.  Stories celebrate your life but only if they’re told.  Next time you’re with Grandpa or Grandma ask them to tell you a story about their life.