Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Natural Born Storyteller

The Ancestors Told; The Elders Listened; We Pass it On.

Rosie Lee Durr
1928-1990
My Aunt Rosie was a natural born oral historian. She loved sharing about growing up in rural Copiah County, Mississippi, during the Great Depression. She shared the good, the bad, and the ugly about the people she loved and about herself. She didn't need prodding, she just talked.

Standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes, drinking a cup of coffee, dressed for church with the mink stole around her shoulder, rollers in her hair on the front porch, she would tell stories. A major family event or simple everyday activities would take her back. She remembered the events of her own life and she remembered the stories that had been told to her.

I think my aunt talked because she needed to talk, it was therapy for her. She didn't plan on passing the torch to the next generation but I am so pleased she shared.

Just as Aunt Rosie did, I causally pass memories to my children, nieces and nephews, hoping the names of the ancestors are remember.

Aunt Rosie and her husband Ernest Scott

Thank you, George.

12 comments:

Andrea Kelleher said...

It's in those casual moments when it happens, the passing of stories from one generation to the next. Thank you for sharing!

Kristin said...

Even though I come from a family of talkers, looking back they had to be asked questions about the olden days directly. Left to their own devices they would talk all day about politics, current events, the struggle...My mother was the exception. You are lucky you had a talkative aunt!

LindaRe said...

I have the talkers and non-talkers, I am thankful for Aunt Rosie.

LindaRe said...

I love it when the family is together and we have good conversation.

Anonymous said...

"My Aunt Rosie was a natural born oral historian."

To know who you are and what you are and to do it. Aunt Rosie had the gift. A natural born oral historian!

I love it; I love it; I Love it!

Now, when did she pass?

Peace & Blessings,
"Guided by the Ancestors"

LindaRe said...

Oops, she died in 1990.

True Lewis said...

Thanks for sharing, that is so true on so many levels. Mom would do the same thing.I can see your Aunt now in them curlers.

Root Digger said...

Aunt Rosie loved to talk and in doing so you truly benefited. I love her photo.

Angela Y. Walton-Raji said...

Time to put down some of Aunt Rosie's stories and devote a blog maybe just to her! Wish I had an Aunt Rosie, too!

LindaRe said...

If I had the skills and comfort to deal with crushing poverty, cruelty and abuse, I would. A little of the positive about her life and what she had to share is on this blog.

Ms Vicky said...

Thanks for sharing Aunt Rosie with us LindaRe. I bet you listened for hours on end..

sjtaliaferro said...

Great post. Wish all families had an Aunt Rosie to pass the stories on.