Sometimes listening to and telling the story are equally important. #Storytelling is very interactive. In fact, the National Storytelling Network explains that “storytelling can directly and tightly connect the teller and audience.” They go on to say:
The storytelling listener's role is to actively create the vivid, multi-sensory images, actions, characters, and events—the reality—of the story in his or her mind, based on the performance by the teller and on the listener’s own past experiences, beliefs, and understandings.
The audience's understanding of the story is not just the words...
The completed story happens in the mind of the listener, a unique and personalized individual. The listener becomes, therefore, a co-creator of the story as experienced.
When I conduct creative writing courses or #virtual tutoring sessions, I always explain to my students that the five elements of a good story are characters, setting, plot, conflict or drama, and resolution. I encourage them to use their own creativity to bring the written stories to life. I have had students bring in photos, drawings, music, tchotchkes from their travels, and digital recordings with sound effects. We do not typically spend enough time focused on the interactive nature of storytelling and how tightly it can connect the teller and the audience.
As I sit here on Christmas Eve thinking back to how my family celebrated the holidays, I have images of the Christmas tree all decked out with unique decorations collected over the years and the snow-covered village my mother created under the tree. I remember how exciting it was to wake up early in the morning to discover Santa had eaten the cookies and left each of us a pile of presents under the tree. I was the second oldest of four kids. I left for college early and my younger sisters continued their own traditions with my parents. For years I heard stories about how my father read them ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas every year. That was clearly a tradition that meant a great deal to them.
Many many years down the road, I was living in Virginia and my parents still lived in Florida. My dad was in a nursing home. My sisters had both moved out of Florida by then. I was sitting at a local mall, staring into space wondering what to buy my family for Christmas. I was going to visit my parents halfway between Thanksgiving and Christmas and suddenly realized I was staring at a big advertisement for recordable books in the window of a Hallmark store. I nearly jumped out of my seat when I realized one of them was ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas! I bought two copies, took them to Florida and had my father record them for my sisters. He was so excited when he realized what I was asking him to do.
I had so much fun with my parents that afternoon laughing at the “bloopers” that occurred. At one point we were all cracking up laughing when my mother said, “You should have recorded that” –and then I hit the button to stop the recording. My sisters have asked me at least a dozen times why I did not record one for myself. I tell them I have memories from the day we created the recordings. I played each recording at least 20 times before wrapping the books and sending them to my sisters. Listening to my dad reading the story was not one of my traditions. They were his audience as he was telling the story. I told them I could always call them if I wanted to hear my dad’s voice.
I imagine my sisters are listening to the recordings tonight and missing our father. Our parents are no longer with us, and we miss them both. On this night, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas continues to connect us in spirit. That was a very powerful holiday storytelling tradition that brought laughter and tears to each one of us.
I hope that you are creating your own holiday traditions and memories. Cherish the time you spend with family and friends. Find ways to share your traditions and connect with future generations.
