These stories can also expose her childhood experiences which shape who she is today. If she shares stories of growing up in a loving and supportive family environment, it might explain her positive outlook on life and her ability to love and be loved. By understanding these aspects, you can better adapt to her needs, communicate more effectively, and build a stronger relationship.
Her family stories can reveal her values. If her parents are hardworking and she shares stories about that, it might mean she values diligence too.
You can actively listen when she shares. Make eye contact, nod, and give small verbal affirmations like 'Yes' or 'That's interesting'.
Take notes, either mentally or literally if possible. Remembering the details of the stories can be useful in future interactions with her family. For instance, if her dad has a passion for fishing and you remember that from a story, you can bring it up when you meet him.
First, be a good listener. It shows that you care about her family. Maybe her family has some interesting experiences or values she wants you to know. You can also share your own family stories in return to build a closer connection among all of you.
It's a puzzling phrase. Maybe'mom' was reminiscing about a time when she had a kitten or a small animal (referred to as 'pussy' which can be an old - term for a cat in some regions) and the story about it was so vivid that it roused the person from sleep.
One way to understand it could be to think about the son's actions during the time his mom is telling stories. Maybe 'fingers' means he's using his fingers to interact with her in some way, like pointing at details in a book if she's reading a story. And 'fists her stories' could be that he gets so into the stories that he clenches his fists in excitement or anticipation. But again, this is just one possible interpretation.
Just be positive. Say things like 'That's really interesting' or 'Your friends seem to have some amazing stories'. This shows your support for her and her friends.
One way is to use examples from her own experiences. For example, if she once had a situation where she wasn't listened to, remind her of how that made her feel. Then, relate it to how you feel when she doesn't listen to you.
It can help you be more empathetic. By seeing the experiences in the stories, you'll know better how to respond to her needs.
One possible story could be that the wife's sister is an amazing cook. So, the wife shares her sister's cooking skills with you. For example, the sister might teach you how to make a special family recipe, like a delicious lasagna. And through this sharing, you get to bond with the sister over food and family traditions.