• Ladies and gentlemen of friends of friends

    It has been such a pleasure spending the past nine months with each and every one of you I have enjoyed watching you grow as readers as writers and more so as individuals since you first stepped into my classroom back in the fall After all the time spent together years for many of you what a better way to learn something new about your fellow friends than the following stories shared by your loved ones While listening to you so eloquently interview your family and friends I have laughed cried and laughed some more at the stories told by those who know you best

    When we first began reading Listening is an act of love the collection of stories gathered from the recordingd of StoryCorps months ago we discussed the medias perception of whst makes up america and what america is really made up of I hope you've enjoyed the stories I read to you learning about the stories of everyday peoples ives across this great country Based off of what I have learned about you through these interviews I see you have realized how listening to those stories as well as wanting to hear those of when you were young truly is a gift

    I take great pride in this class project as it is a testament to who you are and where you have come from May you enjoy the following pages with as much laughter and perhaps tears as I did while listening Please share your story and those of your classmates with your friends and family as they are important And the next time someone starts telling a story whether it's a family member friend or a stranger you come across take the time to listen as it is an act of love