Every person has a story to tell, and about a dozen residents shared theirs Tuesday at the Main Branch of the Iberia Parish Library.

Tuesday marked the final day of a semester-long life writing course offered by University of Louisiana-Lafayette and the library. About a dozen class members took turns sharing some of their works with their classmates and family members.

Judy Dauterive recalled a sleepless first night as a new mother. Glenn Oubre shared some of his misadventures in diaper changing as a new father in the 1960s. Both stories drew howls of laughter from those in attendance, many of whom could relate to their experiences.

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“That’s one thing I notice when I listen to everybody’s story — all of you are telling my story,” said class instructor Nancy Colby. “We’ve all changed diapers. We’ve all had new and interesting jobs. We’ve all had crazy things happen, and we’ve all had dear friends, so it’s a joy to share those stories.”

Oubre said it was equally rewarding to recapture some of his old memories in words.

“This life writing class has been one of the best things in my life,” he said. “To be able to do this helps me think, and it’s great that I can do that at my age.”

Class member Mac Stearns shared a story about his childhood memories of his father’s college roommate, a unique character he developed a close bond with.

Stearns said he became interested in the life writing course after attending a library program made up of former class members who assembled their memoirs into books.

“The thing that is really so fascinating is the dynamics of the group,” Stearns said.

“You have such diverse backgrounds, and yet there are common interests. You really become friends.”

Stearns said he has always been an avid reader, but said he improved as a writer as a result of his participation in the class.

Colby said class members had varying levels of writing experience, but all had life experiences.

“We all have stories to tell,” she said. “And I think when they begin to hear the stories of others, they will be reminded of stories they thought they had forgotten.”

Library program coordinator Susan Hester Edmonds said the library has openings for courses next semester starting Jan. 29 and 30. To register, call 364-7024.