Grandparents Day, celebrated in the U.S. on the first Sunday after Labor Day, is on September 10 this year. Internationally recognized on the fourth Sunday of July, when in 2021, Pope Francis declared World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Whether celebrated in July or September, Grandparents Day deserves its due. If you are/were fortunate to have a loving relationship with your grandparents, it’s important to acknowledge the gifts they brought to your life. Storytelling is such a gift, often providing insight into your family’s cultural heritage and traditions.
A Tradition of Storytelling
Though my mother’s father died years before I came along, I fortunately had my dad’s dad until I was eight. My grandmothers remained in my life through my adulthood. My grandfather and my two grams immersed my life in vivid storytelling. They brought the foods, music, and culture of their native countries, Poland, Ukraine, and Italy. Though not illiterate, they had little formal schooling. Coming to the States quite young, they learned enough English to get by in their adopted country. Yet, each shared the rich tradition of oral storytelling. This gave me a glimpse into their (and my) cultural heritage.
Cultural Insights through Stories
Listening to my Sicilian-born grandfather’s elaborate tales, I didn’t yet realize these “productions” were typical of his place of birth. Many stories featured heroic figures saving someone or a whole village—not unlike the superheroes of my comic books. What distinguished Grandpa’s stories from my grandmothers’, was the alternating sung verses and spoken lines interspersed throughout every tale. Much later I found out this storytelling technique is a common, and theatric style among Italians of Sicilian origin. Benjamin sprinkled stories of the everyday, like women preparing Sunday supper for guests, with singsong lyrics. These added a magical touch to a child’s ears. Years later, I found a relationship between this kind of storytelling and that of the Native people in N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn, which featured tales told through song and dance.
My Polish grandmother, Mary, came from a fairly large city about two hours from Warsaw. Her stories seemed more “sophisticated” somehow, with bigger words and a good dose of Polish. The foreign words added to the tales’ “color,” and allure. Most stories involved animals and the existence of vampires, whom Mary insisted lived in the woods of her hometown. Intriguing stories rather than frightening. Not necessarily evil but different, the vampires preferred sequestered lives, defending themselves only if “outsiders” became troublesome. My Ukrainian grandma, Catherine, told similar tales of animals, and stories involving knights and enemies with twelve heads. Bravery, resistance, and love of the motherland featured prominently in her tales.
My Grandparents’ Gifts
I have no doubt that my love of storytelling, reading, and writing evolved in part from my grandparents. Additionally, I credit their other influences as well. Mary wouldn’t think of taking the dog for a walk if her hair wasn’t just so and her lipstick applied. She and Grandma Catherine were excellent cooks. Even though that gene skipped a generation (my mother suffered an aversion to the kitchen), I appreciate these skills. I love to recreate my grandmothers’ recipes. Aside from his engaging storytelling, Grandpa Ben loved his music. Sunday dinners were always accompanied by Italian operas, kitschy 50s and 60s tunes, and stirring ballads. Though I never knew my mom’s father, John, a Russian immigrant, I like to think his appreciation for ice-cold vodka lives on in me.