Podcast: The Moth
Episode: Peter Aguero: Me and Mama vs Christmas
Release Date: December 20, 2010
Introduction
In this heartfelt episode of The Moth, Peter Aguero shares a deeply personal story titled "Me and Mama vs Christmas." Recorded live in December 2009 at a special Moth evening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the narrative explores family struggles, economic hardship, and the enduring bond between a son and his mother during the holiday season.
Setting the Scene
Peter begins his story by recounting his return home after his first semester of college. At 19 years old, he anticipates changes in his household, a place already strained by his parents' divorce and his father's departure four years prior. Upon entering his home, Peter is met with an almost entirely emptied house:
“I walked into the house and the first thing that I saw was that her upright piano that she had had since she was a kid was gone.”
– Peter Aguero [02:30]
The removal of long-held family items symbolizes the declining state of his mother's ability to maintain their home.
The Mother's Struggle
Peter describes his mother's relentless effort to keep the household intact despite financial strain. She works tirelessly, balancing shifts at a psychiatric drug unit and a perfume counter to make ends meet. Her Polish pride prevents her from selling the house, which Peter believes is the best solution:
“I told my mother for years after the divorce to just sell the house. It was too big for the two of us after my sister left.”
– Peter Aguero [05:00]
Her stubbornness leads to a living environment that Peter describes as "decaying," emphasizing the emotional and physical toll it takes on both of them.
The Christmas Plan
Determined to create a memorable Christmas despite their financial limitations, Peter proposes an unconventional gift exchange with his mother:
“Why don't we, over the next two weeks, we'll cut out pictures out of catalogs and magazines of things that we would give to each other if we could.”
– Peter Aguero [07:10]
This plan is both a coping mechanism and a creative way to express their desires without the financial burden.
Creating the Perfect Christmas Tree
Unable to afford a real Christmas tree, Peter improvises by cutting down a small maple tree and decorating it with existing ornaments and tangled lights. This DIY tree symbolizes his commitment to making the best of their situation:
“It was really kind of nice. She came home and you know, she was, I guess happy.”
– Peter Aguero [09:45]
His efforts to decorate the tree become a central project that consumes his thoughts in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Emotional Bonds and Realizations
As Christmas approaches, Peter and his mother share moments of laughter and tears. He reflects on their relationship, describing them as partners and best friends who have always leaned on each other amid life's challenges:
“It was like a needle piercing me in the heart. It was just like this life that we had that was the two of us was just gone.”
– Peter Aguero [13:20]
This poignant moment underscores the emotional depth of their bond and the pain of realizing that their shared sanctuary is unraveling.
Christmas Eve and Revelation
On Christmas Eve, after attending midnight mass with a friend, Peter brings his curated bundles of catalog cutouts to exchange with his mother. The exchange is bittersweet as they reveal both extravagant and modest "gifts":
“She starts opening up a car and a vacuum in the shower and gold and a brand new piano... I start to open up mine. There’s three of them. One is a picture of some Reese's peanut butter cups...”
– Peter Aguero [15:10]
While his mother's gifts represent everything she has had to give up, Peter's simpler, more personal gifts highlight their true connection and shared history.
Resolution and Hope
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the story concludes on a hopeful note. Peter discovers that his mother eventually decided to sell the house, leading to a more stable and happier life for both of them:
“A couple months later, I got my belated Christmas present. It was a picture that my mom sent me when I was away at school of her standing in front of the house with a For Sale sign in front of it. She decided to sell the house... But I got my girl back.”
– Peter Aguero [16:30]
This final revelation illustrates the long-term positive outcome of their efforts to confront and overcome their difficulties together.
Conclusion
Peter Aguero's "Me and Mama vs Christmas" is a moving testament to familial love, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through his vivid storytelling, Peter invites listeners into his world, offering both heartache and hope, ultimately celebrating the unbreakable bond between a son and his mother.
About Peter Aguero
Peter Aguero hails from South Jersey and currently resides in Queens, New York with his wife Sarah. He is a Moth Grand Slam Champion, Story Slam Host, and an instructor for the Moth Shop Community Program. Additionally, Peter is the singer of the BTK Band, New York City's only improvised storytelling rock band. His passion for storytelling and music beautifully intertwines in his performances, resonating deeply with audiences.