With enough different perspectives, we can describe the indescribable. 

On May 11, ten writers attempted a daring feat: Describing motherhood. From a copper-haired child of Holocaust survivors to a freshman at Marriotts Ridge, this group of storytellers told their truths to a sold-out crowd at the Carriage House in Columbia. 

Listen to Your Mother Howard County, a local iteration of a national storytelling project, held its premiere on the night before Mother’s Day. A co-production of writers Faye McCray, Amanda Loudin and Susan Thornton Hobby, Listen to Your Mother Howard County offered ten radically different takes on motherhood.

But the thread – of reckless, ineffable love for children – carried through all ten tales. 

Eleven, actually, since Nette Stokes, director of JustLiving Advocacy, spoke in an introduction about her life as a teen mother and the daughter of a strong mother. Listen to Your Mother Howard County raised more than $2,400 for JustLiving Advocacy, a nonprofit that aids local single parents. 

“The event was a masterful curation of diverse stories and storytellers, directed by the talented local playwright and director Aladrian Wetzel,” said co-producer Faye McCray. “The audience was captivated, hanging on every word, moved to both tears and laughter. It reaffirmed a beautiful truth: stories unite us.”

Amanda Loudin, who attended a Listen to Your Mother show in Colorado and decided to launch the project here with her co-producers, said, “There are so many words to describe the evening: poignant, raw, funny, uplifting, inspiring … . I could go on. But I guess the word that best describes it is powerful. It was powerful to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these storytellers as they courageously shared their truths. Mother, daughter, other–everyone could find something relatable from these stories. I’m so proud of what this group put together and hope that this year’s show is the first of many to come.”

For more information, email ltymhoco@gmail.com

To watch the full show, visit the Listen to Your Mother Howard County YouTube playlist: 

Individual storytellers’ videos are here:

Introduction and Nette Stokes of JustLiving Advocacy

Margarete Levy, “Mama’s Advice”

Ashleigh Owens, “I’m Not Enjoying this Season of Motherhood”

Amanda Loudin, “Role Reversal”

Jillianne Trotter, “Mother F” 

Susanna Sung, “Don’t Forget Who You Are” 

Ashley Rappa, “Field of Artichokes”

Faye McCray, “Unfinished”

Kim Flyr, “The Pillow”

Iris Hai, “I Love You”

Susan Thornton Hobby, “To Do”

– Susan Thornton Hobby,

HoCoPoLitSo recording secretary