There is a national project out there known as StoryCorps. The basic premise is that people are encouraged to have a conversation with one of their friends or family members about that person’s life, have the story recorded, and then store the recording in the Library of Congress. The aim of this project is to “remind one another of our shared humanity, strengthen and build the connections between people, teach the value of listening,and weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that every life matters. At the same time, we will create an invaluable archive of American voices and wisdom for future generations.”

I think this is an admirable goal, as there are too many voices and stories that go unheard or are too easily forgotten.

To that end, I would like to create a miniature version of StoryCorps, aimed specifically at pipe smokers. While I do not currently have the resources to have these stories recorded in audio, the written word has always served us well, so we can start there.

Here’s the idea: In the comments section on this particular blog entry, share with us how you got started smoking a pipe.

These stories are crucial to the pipe smoking community for so many reasons. First, we are a small group and thus should remind one another of our shared experience. It also serves  to strengthen and build connections within our community through common participation. This is one of the few moments that absolutely every pipe smoker must go through, so it is worth hearing how each one of us got started. Also, each and every one of you is part of the history of pipe smoking, a history that I find beautiful. I do not want any part of that history to be forgotten if I can help it. I know that I only have a limited ability to see this dream turned into a reality, but, with the help of all of you, this could become something huge, to the point of having our stories permanently archived in the Library of Congress. That way, no matter how hard the “antis” try to eradicate this noble hobby, history will always remember the humble men and women who loved the briar, the clay, the meerschaum, and the cob.

Do your part and tell us a story. How did you get started?