It’s official: You can share a story today

Are you sharing a family story today?

Today has been designated International Day for Sharing Life Stories and many communities around the world are holding special events to commemorate the occasion. Here in Central Iowa, I’ll be participating in tonight’s Two Rivers Story Spinners’ event at Des Moines Area Community College.

I’m looking forward to hearing other people share stories from their life experiences. For my part, I’ll probably tell the story about a public spectacle involving my grandfather and root beer. If you’re in the area, drop by and I’ll share it with you.

Not so coincidentally, today just happens to be the 96th birthday of story teller extraordinaire, Studs Terkel. Terkel, an oral historian from Chicago who became a public television star a few decades back, has a new book out, “Studs Terkel Interviews: Film and Theater.”

Even if you miss out on today’s festivities, you can make amends by sharing a life story or two with your loved ones over the weekend. What are you waiting for?

Larry Lehmer is a personal historian who helps people preserve their family stories. To learn more, visit his web site or send him an e-mail.

Flickr photo courtesy of wgbhmorningstories.