Reading Question Six

Interpretation of Folklore

When one approaches Folklore and try to interpret it, it is important to know that Folklore expresses and examines information, beliefs, and verbal, customary and how important it is to the people sharing it. But how does it compel me personally?


The Storyteller. There’s not a day that doesn’t go by where I don’t remember dad telling those silly stories about his past experiences as a young man on a farm and the brothers he shared fun with. Those stories, even though some may occasionally have been fabricated, compelled me to tell my own stories as a writer. (Dad telling one of his stories, 2004)


The Strong Will Person
(mom with dad during the 80's)
When I was much younger, my mom went through many adventures with my dad that I personally think many women even today, wouldn’t do, because of how we moved around so much when I was a child. She never complain and always looked forward going from state to state, packing and unpacking, raising a family and keeping a nice home.

At times she could be in the background of her husband success while she stayed at home and found joy with her own successes like being on bowling teams, going to PTA meetings, cub scouts or just being there for her kids. Later down the road, her and my dad became partners, running their own successful business for several years adding another of her own successes to the list.


Unfortunately, the business eventually crumbed and became a more financial problem that was hard to bare. But, the two of them pulled through and made the best with what they had, even if it meant just being partners in life.
After my father died I wondered how she would get along being by her self without dad. It is hard for her and will be I’m sure for some time. What she and my father built together for 49 years she would never trade a cent on. But, she is slowly moving on and focusing more on what she does have, her children and grandchildren. She has become a role model and my best friend that I’ve learned to respect over the years because of her strong will mind to never give up.

The Patient Husband.
(George in the middle beside me,August 2007)

Though I’ve only been with my second husband for the last three years, he has been the most patient and understanding man I’ve ever meant. He try’s to always carry a positive attitude, even if he may disagree with that person he is with. And is very supportive and encouraging to anyone’s accomplishments and failures.
Judgment is not in his vocabulary as he seems to have an open minded towards anyone that he may meet. However, he will stick solid with his own virtual and beliefs sometimes telling you what he thinks no matter how bold it may seem. Independence is a sign of importance to this man, but being responsible and doing the right thing motivates his daily life. His character for the most part is his patients and understanding towards the human race. But, what I admire most is the pride and strength he gives to everyone he may touches.




Finally, the Loyal and Loving Sons.



(Kenny in his famous duct tape suit, and Greg and I Christmas 2005)

Greg II and Kenneth are honest, hardworking young men that have a combination of patients, strong will and giving souls that only a mother could be proud of.
Though Greg, Kenny and I have had our own ups and downs with each other, we are always there for the other. And even though, their own personal lives haven’t always been great, they seem to have pushed them selves up and mange to persevere and move on.


Of course, I’ve painted a pretty picture of my family and their characters in general. But, real life isn’t always that way. There have been so many times I’ve been hurt, angry, cronically depressed, and felt I was wasting my life. I’ve wondered if I’ve done the right or wrong things, felt guilty on several occasions or wonder if something is really worth fighting for. But, through it all, I’ve been driven to move forward as though I still have a journey to complete and a motive to overcome my pitfalls.

This past semester I’ve wrote a lot about my family through our own rituals, performances, and the love we share with one another. Because of a family who began with a stubborn strong willed woman and a man who enjoyed life through his own experienced stories, has became my driving force and my interpretation of what compels me to be who I am now and always.
(winter of 2003 at IUS)