Storytellers to share joys, disappointments of holidays
When Teresa Strasser was growing up, her mom was a hippie, raising her kids alone as part of San Francisco's counterculture.
Strasser, today a syndicated TV host and Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, remembers her mom as always doing her best, but never really making it as a June Cleaver-type.
But during one Hanukkah, her mom surprised her kids.
“Mine is a small story about Hanukkah, which can be a real parenting crucible as it involves not only flying in the face of the omnipresence of Christmas … but also coming up with eight gifts per kid,” Strasser said. “My mother was a single, working mom and, frankly, momming wasn’t exactly her thing. But she crushed Hanukkah.”
Strasser will share memories of her favorite Hanukkah as part of the USA TODAY Storytellers Project show, “Holidays.” The show will livestream at https://events.storytellersproject.com and those who register in advance will get a reminder.
The show is at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
During the show, Strasser, who lives in Phoenix, will be joined by:
Galen G. Gordon, 44, of Cincinnati
Sarah Hairston Berkley, 40, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky
Dylan Alexander Mack, 41, of Los Angeles
Julie Lalwani, 43, of Phoenix
Joe Finnerty, 93, of Phoenix
Finnerty, no relation to the show’s emcee, Storytellers Project founder Megan Finnerty, has shared several times during Holiday shows in Arizona, and consistently wins over the audience with warmhearted, funny stories of a childhood in Brooklyn, or spending a Christmas with generous strangers during World War II.
Gordon’s story is about stepping up to fill a void at Christmas, and creating an environment where Black children could see themselves reflected in their holiday hero.
“A few years ago, I was asked to play Santa for our downtown business organization,” remembers Gordon, who is Black. “I had no experience in this role, but I recognized the opportunity to have an impact on our youth. I didn't realize the impact I would have on adults and entire families.
“Black Santa or Santa of any color should be a common and accepted offering for our children,” he said.
While both Strasser and Gordon’s stories are rooted in family and American traditions, Mack’s story is about spending the holidays separated from family while at war in Mosul, Afghanistan.
It touches on some of the hard truths members of the military face while fighting for our freedom as life -- with its rituals and traditions -- continues back at home.
“My story is about the surreal feelings experienced when attempting something familiar in a foreign environment,” he said. “Christmas at war will always feel inauthentic, but it is in these stories that we can better understand what the holidays mean when celebrated ‘traditionally’ at home with family.”
Berkley said her son, Wrigley, has inspired her to share a personal story about how ‘The Nutcracker” has been a part of her life since she was a child and shaped who she is today. She previously shared the story with an audience in her home city through the Cincinnati Storytellers Project, based in The Cincinnati Enquirer and cincinnati.com newsroom.
“Right now, while the arts are suffering and ballet companies are canceling their No. 1 Christmas tradition all over the world, I hope people will see how special this ballet is for young people and how sometimes we don’t appreciate things until they are not there,” said Berkley, academy director and former principal dancer at the Cincinnati Ballet.
Lalwani hopes listening to these personal stories can bring people together.
“We are in the midst of a pandemic and significant political uncertainty. Finding ways to build connections and bonds are crucial in challenging times,” she said.
Her story touches on how being different or feeling out of place during the holidays can be painful. “But through resilience and acceptance, the holidays can remind us of the magic of being human and vulnerable,” she said.
WATCH: Episodes from the Storytellers Project
The Storytellers Project, part of the USA TODAY Network, produces shows in 20 cities across the United States, but pivoted to virtual shows in April because of the pandemic. Shows are planned through the end of 2021 featuring a diverse line-up of storytellers sharing true stories based on their personal lives. Tellers work with storytelling coaches and journalists from across the USA TODAY Network. Learn more and apply to tell a story at https://www.storytellersproject.com/about/.
Need to know
What: “Holidays”
Where: The Storytellers Project’s Facebook Page, YouTube channel and website.
When: Dec. 15, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
Upcoming shows
Jan. 5: New Beginnings
Jan. 12: I am Black
Feb. 16: Love and Heartbreak
March 2: I am Indigenous
March 16: I Made This: Stories About the Arts
March 30: I am Hispanic
April 20: Growing Up
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storytellers Project to share five personal stories about the holidays
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