Listen up! The StoryCorps National Day of Listening is November 27, 2009. That's the day after Thanksgiving, so the tryptophan's worn off but the family is still gathered. It's a great time to grab a recording device—a tape recorder or a camcorder—and let loose the questions, memories, anecdotes—and love.

We've chosen six compelling StoryCorps audio tales. They're our favorite kind: inspiring stories told by regular folks.

For more on StoryCorps' National Day of Listening, visit their website.

The Mechanics of Family A father and daughter laugh about their family's mechanical inclination Listen Now	A Great Save   A son learns how a stranger saved his dad from a five- story fall Listen Now	Be Gentle   Sweet lessons from grandfather to father, to son Listen Now
Scrubbing In A hospital chaplain describes her prayerful mission Listen Now	Sacrifice and Ingenuity   A mother re- counts raising six children with no hus- band, and little income Listen Now	Pancakes Shaped Like Hearts Now married, this pair recall the quirks of their courtship Listen Now

Three Story Catchers

Read how these family members sat with their elders to capture memories, dreams and recollections.

The Gift of a Thousand Words In recalling the past, this grandmother found her voice. Read more

Preserving the Past How one family uncovered a treasure trove of memories Read more

Grandma’s Stories A personal account of recording on the National Day of Listening Read more

Collecting Your Family's Stories

To urge you on, we've gathered Guideposts articles about the importance of storytelling and how to get started collecting your family stories.

Tall Tales The transforming power of storytelling Read more

The Gift of Gab Six ways to get stories flowing Read more

Treasuring Your Family History The benefits of sharing memories Read more