From the time we are born, everything is finite. There is a beginning and an end. The sun rises and inevitably, it sets. Years come and go. Happy moments have an end, and even the sad ones will pass. So what happens with life? We are born, and eventually, we die. But does death represent the end? Or do we persist in some way? There are many beliefs regarding what might lay in store for us once our mortal bodies close their eyes for the last time. Naturally, it can be scary to face death. It can be terribly sad when someone we care for has to move on. But perhaps we can find some solace in the idea that infinity exists. The expanse of the universe doesn’t have an end. The number pi goes on forever. The possibilities of where life can take us are endless. So, amidst all of these infinities, we can take up hope that endings are not permanent. The sun does rise again, and there will be more happy moments. After we pass through this life, our loved ones might be waiting for us, as Anne Rutherford says, in The Blue Remove.

 

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

“The Blue Remove” by Anne Rutherford from Living in the Driveway: Stories of Finding Our Place (10:58)

Anne Rutherford grew up in Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River. In this story, however, she talks about somewhere else. A place just outside of Denver, Colorado, with a magnificent view of the Rocky Mountains through the eyes of a young girl named Gracie. Gracie loves to look at the mountains in the distance, as they’re beautiful blue, the color of the horizon. She later finds out they are not actually blue, but they come to represent something much bigger than just mountains, something that can give her comfort when she needs it the most.

 

“The Cow-Tail Switch” by Charlotte Blake Alston from Wadin’ in the Water (5:04)

Memories are important. That’s why so many people keep journals, take photos, or record certain events. We celebrate Memorial day to remember those who have fallen while serving in the armed forces. Remembering and honoring those who came before us can be a great way to let them live on. In the next story, remembering does a little bit more. Starting with a father who disappeared on a hunting trip, Charlotte Blake Alston relates the tale of a family who moves on a little too well, forgetting him entirely. That is, until the youngest son is born and realizes that unlike everyone else in the village, he doesn’t seem to have a father.

 

“Stan” by Dan Keding from from The Gypsy Wagon and Other Neighborhood Tales (7:28)

Having someone close to you pass away is never an easy experience. It hurts and sometimes hurts until you wonder if the hurt will go away. Interestingly enough, it isn’t always a bad thing to hurt. Pain can teach us things, like not to touch a hot stove. It can also push us to be better and do good for other people. For Dan Keding, a storyteller who grew up in Chicago, one such painful experience revolves around one of his childhood neighbors. His name was Stan, and although he was much older than Dan, he was a good friend. Through sharing his life of experience, he was able to help Dan and after he died, Dan realized his story could help others, even though it hurt.

 

“Lost Jimmy Whalen” by Barry Cloyd and Brian “Fox” Ellis from River Ghosts (3:36)

A song by storyteller Brian Ellis and Musician Barry Cloyd. Ellis found his love of storytelling when he was young, telling stories to his friends and listening to stories around the campfire during hunting trips. Cloyd sings, writes, and performs music as well as stories. Together they founded Prairie Folklore Theatre, a touring theatre company. This song, about a young woman who lost her dear love, might change your opinion about ghosts. We often think of them as scary, but maybe they’re just the remnant of good people, moved on to another realm.

 

“Why I Don’t Fish Anymore” by Alan Hoal from Why I Don’t Fish Anymore (16:49)

Having a loved one pass away is not the only way we can lose someone. Sometimes they move far away or fade out of our life because their life takes them another direction. Just because they’re not gone doesn’t mean, however, that it’s easy to let them leave. This story, by Alan Hoal, is about a pet catfish. And although it’s funny and not necessarily truthful, it does illustrate how a pet running away can hurt.

 

Radio Family Journal: "Celebrity Bookshelf" (6:00)

Listening to some of these stories about the comings and goings of important people in a person's life reminds Sam of a childhood memory of fantasy of possible interactions with people with whom he didn't have any connection. Here's another entry in Sam's Radio Family Journal.