Family stories. Family secrets. Every family has them. The storyteller has a sacred place in cultures where oral traditions are honored and valued. But in contemporary America, family storytellers are expected to exaggerate stories which stress family values, positive events and successes, while downplaying or ignoring stories that do not comfortably fit the family narrative.
These stories are different. How often do you encounter the naked truth? Laugh, cringe, wince, squirm, bawl, howl, whatever your reaction, kick back and relish the honest emotion. These stories, these secrets--they are truthfully told, with joy, pain, wonder, and sorrow.
Family stories. Family secrets. Every family has them. The storyteller has a sacred place in cultures where oral traditions are honored and valued. But in contemporary America, family storytellers are expected to exaggerate stories which stress family values, positive events and successes, while downplaying or ignoring stories that do not comfortably fit the family narrative.
These stories are different. How often do you encounter the naked truth? Laugh, cringe, wince, squirm, bawl, howl, whatever your reaction, kick back and relish the honest emotion. These stories, these secrets--they are truthfully told, with joy, pain, wonder, and sorrow.