Sunday 2 January 2011

Storytelling Sundays

"What's Mum doing?" asked The Tall One

"She's loitering with intent to use Photoshop, son," said his father, checking under the Christmas tree for the last of the Quality Street.

No, I'm not. I'm leaving that til the house is quiet. I'm busy wishing my blog readers a Very, Very Happy New Year and thanking them for their companionship and support last year. Because it means a lot. May 2011 be everything you could wish for and more.

And when something nice happens, let's hear about it! One of my favourite "blog things" last year was Christmas Club. It took off in a way I never imagined it would - and when Kate commented that I could move it into the new year with "Sian's Storytelling Sundays", I thought now there's a plan just waiting to happen. So, what I'd love to do is make the first Sunday of every month a Storytelling Sunday here at High In The Sky. I'll tell a tale, and you are very welcome to join me with one of your own. If you are interested I'll add a linky so we can share - let's sit round the fire on a Sunday afternoon and swap stories! Big or small, true or tall (maybe), let's hear them all...

I have a little story today to start us off. It's actually part of one of the Christmas Club stories - it's been bothering me that I left it out at the time (and that's a good New Year lesson already). Remember how as a little girl I sat in the hospital one New Year long ago, with only my scrapbook and my bear for company?


Well, there was someone who noticed. And there is something about this time of year, full of hope and good intentions, that always makes me think of the kindness of that stranger. There was a little girl in a bed across the way. Rose, she was called and she had asthma. She lived high up in the hills and every evening her parents made the trek into town to visit. It wasn't long before her mother noticed I was on my own; and, even though her own girl was so glad to see her, she still made time to come over to me every night with a smile and a kind word. I have never, ever forgotten what she did. It always comes to me at the start of the year, and reminds me to keep an eye out for someone in need. And thirty years later, I'm finally saying - Rose's Mum, Thank you.

So, that's my story for today. I'll have another one in February (and March and April...) Maybe you will too?

31 comments:

Jimjams said...

Happy New Year to you too Siân.
Love the idea of storytelling Sundays ... off to think of one to share myself!

Ann said...

Happy New Year Sian and a lovely idea for 2011. I'll try to join in when I can.
Thanks for a very entertaining read whatever it is you're writing about. I always enjoy a visit to your blog ;)

Carmen said...

Oh that one brought a lump to my throat Sian.

Whjat a brilliant idea - can't promise I'll do every one as you know what my memory is like but will definitely try :)

Sandie said...

Oh.. what a lovely story Sian. Bought tears to my eyes, thinking how the kindness of one person can mean so much and that sometimes we might not recognise the impact that a small action can have.
Loved your Christmas Stories, and glad to see it will continue monthly as Sunday Stories. December was abit stretched so I'll try to do better and join in this time.

Kim said...

Happy new year to you, too. I love your idea of a Story Sunday, and I'll be back to visit on story day. I think this idea fits in perfectly with the Yesterday and Today class. I posted some stories on my blog yesterday. It was Saturday, but I hope they will count. You can find them here.

Kelli said...

what a fabulous idea
http://kellimjohnson.blogspot.com/2011/01/storytelling-sundays.html

Cheri said...

Happy New Year Sian! And great story!

Tinkertaylor said...

Happy 2011 Sian looking forward to story telling Sunday.

Lynn Mercurio said...

What a wonderful story and one that brings a warm feeling for us much like it does for you. Thanks for sharing your story.

You have inspired me to write my own story this first Sunday of the new year. http://www.stamperosity.com/2011/01/storytelling-sundayan-unexpected.html

Thanks for your story and the inspiration you have given me.

Anonymous said...

A very happy, healthy and peaceful new year Sian xxx

Lou said...

ooh looking forward to the first sunday of the month.....

Ladkyis said...

I love this idea! I have written mine
http://ladkyis.blogspot.com/2011/01/story-telling-sunday.html
I hope you like it.

debs14 said...

Another great idea! Although today is the first Sunday of the month and I don't have a story to share :-s
I may have to delay my start until February (unless I can think of something to share in the next hour and a half!)

Scrappi Sandi said...

A simply perfect idea! As you know I work on Sundays, but from February I'll try & be organised enough to join in!! I'll also have to ask for a tutorial on setting up a 'linky' if one becomes available!! Love the story...very heartwarming & I'm sure Rose's Mum has always been well aware of how much you appreciated her kindness! :)

Jimjams said...

Here you go Siân - a story for Sunday - thanks for the prompt!

Melissa said...

So glad you added that tidbit to your story. It reminds me of a lesson I learned when I was in the hospital during 6th grade . . . hmm, maybe I need to write that story down.

Sally said...

ooooh hello!!!

I love the story!!! I love the idea... if i have enough of interest to share, i will be sure to join in.... I will be reading, though, thats for sure xxx

Amy said...

Happy New Year to you all Sian :-) I would love to join in again and will do so starting in February.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Yea! I'm definitely in, and I for one would love a linky thing like you had in December if it's not too much trouble.
Rinda

Sian said...

Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm and your stories! I will certainly set up a linky and add the stories we have for this month.

Alana said...

Oh brilliant! Looking forward to hearing your stories soon. Will have to think about some myself. Do you want to hear the one about when I grabbed the headteachers leg so I didn't fall off the stage?

Ginger said...

Your story brought back a memory of when I was 6 and in the hospital for pneumonia and how the nurses felt bad there were no other children in the hospital at that time, so they invited me to sit with them for dinner... I had forgotten this memory.
Good to see you in T&T and I think your Sunday stories are a great addition to your blog!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! I am going to have to start keeping Kleenex nearby - such a touching story.

Unknown said...

Thanks for joining my **MONTHLY MAKE 2011**. Please put a badge in you sidebar and when done also send me your email address for the Stanley pattern - TheFeltFairy @ aol.com (no gaps)with Stanley as the subject. The pattern will be sent out by mid feb! love Annie xx

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a very happy & crafty 2011 Sian!

I like your Storytelling Sundays & will join in now and again....when I have a story worth telling!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

This is a great idea, Sian (Storytelling Sundays...) and a very sweet story you shared at the end. I've heard this saying and it's so true: "People may forget what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel." xo

Rachel Brett said...

Ooh a lovely idea Sian, happy new year to you and yours :)

Alisha said...

I don't have a blog so I will tell you my story here.

One weekend when I was a wee girl, whilst visiting my father he forgot to feed me. I was on the bus heading home to my parents and I was starving. The bus stopped for a dinner break and everyone got off. I didn't have any money so I stayed on the bus. A woman on the bus saw that I was alone and asked if I would like to come inside. I said no and she said that she'd like to buy me a sausage roll. It made my day! Looking back it only cost her $1 but it meant the world to me.
It turned out that I went to school with her daughter and had talked to her and made her like school more. This little girl had no friends at school so this was a big deal. Isn't karma wonderful. 20 years later I am still so grateful to this woman and I base my life and actions around her kindness.
Allie

Sian said...

Alisha, thank you so much for adding your story. It's a very poignant one, and gave me plenty to think about

humel said...

What a beautiful story, Sian :-) And a great idea to keep telling those stories throughh 2011! I shall keep it in mind for February onwards, by which time (I hope!!) life should have settled down and my health should be back to normal...

Anonymous said...

Sian, what a super idea. It was great how you completed your story from your Christmas Club. I'm a tad behind in my reading and just saw this yesterday and immediately knew I wanted to participate. Thanks so much for doing this.

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