Art of Yarn Spinning

Storytelling is an art, especially verbal storytelling. During my grandmother's childhood, it was the main source of entertainment. Now there are all types of things to keep us amused, but there is still something extraordinary about a person who can captivate us with their real life and made up stories. If you reflect on your friends and acquaintances, I'm sure you have one or two in the group. They're the person that when they speak, everyone listens. They can make a trip to the grocery store sound magical. I've been fortunate to know several people with this remarkable talent, and I never tire of listening to their narratives. My grandmother referred to these colorful tellers of tales as yarn spinners.

I've loved to read and write since an early age. But before I could do either, I tried my hand at yarn spinning, I entertained classmates at recess, and my dad at home with my stories. My dad was my biggest fan. When I told him about the village of tiny people that lived in our garden, he hung onto every word. Only the glimmer in his eyes gave a hint that he didn't buy it as real. Every day, he would ask me for an update of the tiny villagers' adventures. I'm thankful that he never called my stories foolish, and that he took the time to listen.

When I was older, I entertained my nieces and nephews with ghost stories. It was a sure way to keep the six of them from running amuck. It was a trick my grandmother taught me. She was an exceptional yarn spinner. When she had a house full of grandchildren, sometimes as many as fifteen of us, she kept us spellbound with story after story about ghosts. We never ventured far from her side, or got into any mischief at her house.

When my children were young, I made up bedtime stories, stories only told when washing their hair and at bath time. Some were with them as the main character and they would choose what the story was to be about.

Even though I enjoyed the process of making up stories, I never felt I was a true yarn spinner. I was drawn to a different form of storytelling--writing.

I believe the early facination with telling stories allowed my imagination to grow. I'm forever grateful to my parents encouragement to use my imagination and to dream. Children need to be encouraged to soar.