Song: Something to be proud of
By: Montgomery Gently
Unlike some homes, that watched the various football games on Thanksgiving, the Bennett shared family stories. This not only brought them together but kept the tales alive and passed from generation to generation.
Jamie's mom took the family albums from the shelf. Some held hand drawn images will others black-and-white and color pictures.
"Who wants to go first?" She asked as the albums were placed on the coffee table.
Jack settled among the kids as a guitar came out. "We tell a lot of our stories as songs, makes it easier to remember." Jamie whispered an explanation to Jack while the sounds of tuning strummed through the air. "The stories rarely come in order but everyone tells one or more of their favorites. The kids usually just listened but sometimes we volunteer to tell one."
This year great grandpa Bennett started to them out. With the final practice strum he began.
(Start song here)
Jack looked the grainy photo of the brothers from the story. He remembered these boys, on their long walks to and from school, and their pranks. Some of which Jack helped with. When he returned one winter to only find one brother he'd wondered what happened. Knowing now brought tears to his eyes but also gave him some closure.
Great grandpa Bennett continued with another story.
Looking between the photo and the man singing and telling his story Jack could see the resemblance. It didn't surprise him at all that great grandpa Bennett had left as soon as he was able. He was always a rebellious kid and it only grew when he became a teen. Jack remembered the young man with the far-off look, dreaming of the big life outside of his small town. He also remembered when this man had returned to the town, though Jack hadn't realized then that he was the same teenager now full grown and a father. "It's good to be home." He had whispered as he helped to unpack the car. The fact that great grandpa Bennett had worried about how his father, the mischievous boy turned man, saw him made Jack chuckle. He could've told him that he had nothing to worry about.
Jack looked at the Bennett clan surrounding him and smiled. Each had a story (multiple stories) they had liked and remembered from their parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents lives. Just as Jack remembered the people of Burgress and their stories. They all kept the past alive in their hearts and minds.