Last week, I shared how fun it was to write with my students online. I can’t wait for later this month when we reunite!
I also promised I’d share my writing. I chose the prompt of writing a family story that’s often told, and I was surprised by the way it chose to present itself.
As I mentioned last week, stories in my family are what someone might kindly call “a team effort,” begun by one person but elaborated upon by all with questions, challenges, fabrications, fact checks, detours, and embellishments. It’s rare that someone gets to finish their own sentence.
That’s where I got the idea to craft this story script-style. No, it’s not a verbatim conversation, just the imagining of how these things often go. I had enough fun with it that I might even consider adding other “scripts” to the collection. Here goes:
THE TALE OF THE POOP-SPLOSION: An epic memory, told in collaboration
Ben: There’s always the poop-splosion story.
Sam: Oh, God.
Ben: What? It’s funny.
Sam: (rolls eyes, but is secretly proud)
Mom: There we were, at our first Galumbeck family reunion since Sammy was born.
Ben: I had already been to one, right?
Mom: Yeah.
Dad: Was that the year of the cicadas?
Mom: I think it was. You couldn’t walk anywhere without them underfoot. And one day – where were we, even?
Dad: Were we in Northern Virginia, or had we already driven down to Porstmouth?
Mom: I can’t remember. This was also the only time Sam got to meet your Grandma Sadye and Grandma Beatty.
Sam: I actually MET them?
Mom: Yeah. They loved you. I remember when we brought you to meet Grandma Sadye. You had the most adorable overalls with dogs on them.
Ben: So you remember what Sam wore to meet Grandma Sadye, but not where the poop-splosion happened?
Mom: Well, to be fair, we took pictures of Sam meeting Grandma Sadye. The other, not so much.
Sam: Why not? That would’ve been AWESOME.
Mom: We were…otherwise occupied.
Ben: Well, keep going then.
Mom: So there we were in the rental car. Sam had a wet diaper, and we wanted to change him. Steve, do you remember why we were still in the car? Were we parked, or were we trying to change him on the fly as we drove?
Dad: (shrugs) I don’t know.
Ben: But you remember the dog overalls.
Mom: Hey now.
Ben: I’m just saying…
Mom: I think we were parked, but I don’t remember where. And for whatever reason, it was easier just to change Sammy in the car. So I was in the back seat, and I propped him up on the center console, and I got the next diaper ready to switch out. I pulled away the dirty diaper –
Sam: And BOOM.
Mom: Boom. You were just waiting to let ‘er rip.
Ben: The poop was everywhere! All over you and the car!
Mom: Yep. Somehow it missed you, you lucky stiff.
Dad: I was definitely glad to be in the front seat.
Mom: (still shuddering) Yes. Yes, you were. And it took a long while to get that rental car ship-shape again.
Ben: I love that story. It’s almost as good as –
Sam: Don’t say it.
Ben: Come on, you know we have to mention –
Sam: No. We. Don’t.
Ben: The POOP DECK STORY.
Sam: (buries face in hands)
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
Telling this as script is awesome!! The excitement and drama is rich! Reading “This was also the only time Sam got to meet your Grandma Sadye and Grandma Beatty.” made me think of my prompt writing today. Also is getting me excited for my granddaughter to meet my mom for the first time in 2-weeks! Which comes first – strong families or strong storytelling?!!
Thanks, Sally! I love that my writing gave you some good connections. I can’t wait to peek at your writing today.
As for your question, well hmm…that might be a chicken / egg situation. =)
I just love the way everyone got involved in telling the story. Each person has a voice and something to contribute to the story. There is such an easy shift from person to person that makes it readable and relatable to so many. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I appreciate your comment. I was happy with how it turned out, because it’s pretty reflective of the way conversations go in my family – both my family of origin and the one I’ve helped raise…
I love the way your family told this story and the way you shared it. It reminded me of trips to visit my mom where my brother, sister, and I (none of us live close to each other or to our mom) would reminisce about ridiculous events from our childhood, laughing so hard that we cried.
Yes! Exactly! It’s like families have a “greatest hits” album when it comes to telling stories – the more ridiculous the better. And somehow they’re never not funny, no matter how many times they’re told.
Which is interesting, because when it’s one person telling an anecdote or memory, the repeated story often gets an “oh-this-again” eye roll.
I never thought about that, but yes, it’s like the greatest hits and so much better when it’s a group memory.
The memories our children (and us) hold tight are often the ones with bodily functions and ridiculous events. Your story is GREAT in part because EVERYONE has a part in the retelling,
Thanks! I feel like lots of families have a got-to-get-a-word-in-edgwise sort of dynamic. And when it comes to inappropriate and ridiculous, it’s even better!
Oh my gosh. This is the perfect way to tell a family story like this! Hilarious and so well done.
Lainie, this is the kind of story that my family would love. Since I have 3 little grandgirls, I have distinct memories of the two oldest’s (8 and 5) potty training and now we have a little one getting ready for the poop patrol. She hangs out in corners to accomplish what she needs to do and then everyone laughs as we pass the baby around for cleaning. Your storytelling script was great.