Saved stories never told
Do you “save” stories for people you don’t see very often? Every once in awhile, I experience something/see something/etc., that makes me think of a specific person. For example, the event might pertain to a certain interest of theirs, or maybe contain a hint of irony that only they would understand. It’s one of those situations when you think, ”Oh, I’ve got to tell ‘so-and-so’ about this. They sure are going to get a kick out of it.’ “
I’ve saved a lot of stories for someone I’ll never be able to tell them to – my uncle Tom, who passed away just over two years ago.
He was really excited that I was going to be living in Rome for a semester. We stayed in touch via email and postcards while I was there, and I think he even read my website.
But there were things I couldn’t explain in emails, postcards, or on my website. There were things I wanted to tell him, specifically, about in person. Things I knew he would find humorous. Things I knew he could relate to.
And I’ve saved more stories for him since then. But what am I supposed to do with them now? All they do it keep me up at night, when I’m thinking about how I never had the chance to share them.
Themocracy
Aww Kim – I’m sorry that you didn’t get the chance to tell your Uncle these stories. I know it sounds corny, but when I come across a situation, or have a story to tell that I know my late grandmother, or grandfathers or my aunt would appreciate, I ‘tell’ it to them anyway simply by thinking of them. I feel like our loved ones never really leave us, so maybe you should ‘tell’ your uncle these stories anyway. And acknowledge how wonderful it is that you still think of him.
oh, that’s sad. and so nice, at the same time, that you still have a connection with him. maybe you can “tell” him by writing him letters on the blog? or someplace more private?
Maybe if you tell those tales to someone new you can honor the memory of your Uncle. Sometimes we evoke them just by speaking about them, you know?
I am sorry he is gone and you have that void though. 🙁
I have a ton of stuff I wanted to tell my grandma. Sadly I did not get a chance either, so I understand how you feel on this one for sure.
I can tell that I’m getting older, because I tend to tell the same stories to others. I don’t do it that often, but I enjoy some stories and sometimes forget who I tell it to and how many times I’ve told it to them.
Because you think of the stories and how you might have told him, he has already heard them from your heart. I miss him too. He will always be in your heart, so as long as you keep the stories and memories alive in your heart he will have a way to listen.
He and my brother Doug were very close and talked every week. They are alot alike even though they’re a couple of years apart in age. Don’t let not being able to PHYSICALLY tell Tom keep you awake, he’s there, he’s listening. All you have to do is speak with your heart. Close your eyes and visualize him laughing and laughing.
tell him in your dreams, or go to a park somewhere and say them aloud.
you never know, one day you may meet someone with a very similar sense of humor who responds very much like your uncle, you’ll know that it’s not him but that familiar feeling makes you think that he sent that person just to “say hi”.
I used to save stories mentally until I realized I could never remember the damn things. Then I started blogging them so the Web could remember them for me. Now that most of my friends have found my blogs, they are able to finish my saved stories for me which kinda screws up my original intent anyway. C’est la vie.
Maybe you can tell them to us in a little series dedicated to your Uncle? It might be good for you to let them out, especially if they’re making you lose sleep.
This is so touching that you loved him so much, were so close, and still think about him all the time. He must have been one heck of a person. Maybe you could write your thoughts down in a journal, or make a separate page for him here and jot down your feelings and thoughts. I’m so sorry you are struggling with this.
Feel better, we all love you!
xoxox
{{{{HUGS}}}
I think you should still tell him. Really…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!
I save stories all the time. I journal them, just in case I don’t get to share them they are there to look at and share in the future (whether I am the one doing the sharing or not)!!!
You could do what I do, my mee-maw passed away when I was 9. She was and still is the person I most want to be like. I still tell her things, even outloud sometimes because I still feel her in my life. Plus, I have been doing it since I was a kid so it doesn’t feel strange to me. Because sometimes the person that will understand is someone who is no longer with us.