They were such an absolute thrill to watch and hear.
Time after time after time; it was almost like magic watching them develop, as the words flowed out of his mouth.
His eyes would twinkle, and his audiences were glued to what tale he was spinning to them. The occasions were always filled with his multiple facial expressions, tricky, descriptive words, and absolute humor. Certainly, lots and lots of belly-gripping laughs were plentiful.
, Yes, indeed, my father was truly a wonderful STORYTELLER.
I remember as far back as my mind takes me, Col. C.H. Breedlove, told his legendary stories. He would begin his yarns to a variety of audiences, and for those that knew him, they expected a story or two or ten (?). It simply depended on just how long the conversations would last? More than once, people would tell me, while I grew up as his shadow, my dad reminded them of the late Will Rogers. Rogers was occasionally referred to by the media of the day as "America's Storyteller".
I will admit over the years as I would hear him repeat tales, usually his verbal content varied slightly. My older siblings and I have laughed many times, over the years, about our father's occasional embellishments; our term, his "shades" of the truth. Of course, these minor deviations always made his stories more colorful, and added to his humor, mentioned earlier. Along those humor lines, he often would insert jokes, during his story dialogues. These extra shots of laughter always spiced up the stories, and made them more memorable to all people that fell under his magical spells.
O.K., in order to be completely transparent readers in Our Town and far beyond, the apple didn't fall too far from the proverbial family tree. That is to say, at least, I have been a resident-in-training for lots of years in trying to perfect my dad's art of storytelling. Anytime I am able to find a captive audience, such as family, friends, sports officiating buddies, medical office staff and our included patients, I try to "hold court", and spin a yarn (or two)? I have also been told on numerous occasions by my bride, Debbie, that my stories have varied a little from "her truthful" recall of the events. Usually, her minor corrections don't deter me telling my yarns, however! My employees actually tell me they enjoy hearing my so-called "Doc stories", but, I often wonder if that is primarily because I write their pay checks? Oh, well......
Probably of our 3 children, favorite (and only) daughter, Michelle, has attempted to carry on the family story telling tradition with the most effort. It is true she worked in my offices much more than our 2 boys. Therefore, the truth is she was subjected to hearing her father spin tales over and over and over, while she was on the work time clock for several years.
I have noticed since father time has quickly slipped by in my head, I have lost some grasp of part of my storehouse regarding trivial story information. Usually, however, a friend and I will be engaged in light conversation, and the friend will begin a story that is a common-thread in our lives. Memory usually kicks in for me, drawing from the deep recesses of my gray matter, and I am able to pull up a blast-from-the-past, relating a past story.
Without a doubt, as I have written this weekly installment, I am absolutely certain my dad is smiling as I spin this tale to you. Thank you, dad, for your wonderful gift. Wow.
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