Nashville: “Listen to Your Mother” Show 2014

My mother just left.

She’s back in Miami, 900 miles away, and I am never sure when she’s coming back. I never know when my parents are coming back. I also never know how long they are staying when they are here — a Cuban thing, perhaps, that confounds non-Latino, American friends.

“How long are your parents staying?” someone will ask. (And sometimes that someone is my husband.)
“I don’t know,’’ I say.
“Really?”
“Yes. Really.”

I’m thinking about the distance and the Mom stories because I’ve started working with two friends to bring a show to Nashville called “Listen to Your Mother.” My mother will appreciate that title. She says I never listen to her. Sadly, that is often true. I imagine, one day, my own daughter will stop listening to me. She’s already at around 60%.

“Listen to Your Mother” is a national production that will go local in Nashville, and in 33 other cities, next year and give voice to women (and men!), who will take a stage to tell their own mothering stories. Mom stories always are rich in laughter, tears, comedy, hell, passion, irony and everything else. (You can watch the videos from performances past in other cities here.)

In Nashville, Brigid, Anne and I are working on securing a venue for a Spring 2014 show and announcing audition dates. We’ll be looking for a gloriously diverse group of writers/performers who are reflective of the culturally rich and dynamic storytelling community that lives in Middle Tennessee.

I have no idea what story I would share during the show if my own entry makes the cut. I could tell on myself as a Mother, I could sing the praises of my own, I could tell more about the Crazy Cuban Anti-Aging Trick. (see video, above). Who knows.

But, I realize this: I know my mother will be in the audience, so I don’t actually have to guess at when she’s coming back.

That may be a first.

To learn more about LTYM Nashville

• Read Brigid Day’s post on Listen to Your Mother, Nashville and read Anne McGraw’s here.
• Follow our LTYM Nashville blog for updates and announcements.
• 10% of all proceeds will be donated to a Nashville charity.

Nashville, please help us spread the word.

And, maybe, call your mother today?

Gracias.