“We had this myth that Santa Claus decorated our tree.”

Mary Breakstone to her husband, Bob.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“They had asked me if I wanted to hold you, and I said no, because I was afraid if I held you I wouldn't be able to give you up.”

Mary Lou Maher to her son, Brad Skow, whom she gave up for adoption 28 years ago.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“Being in a wheelchair, you're always protected by this chair. There's armor between you and the opposite sex.”

Vicky Page tells her friend Terrence Hicks about being a teenager with cerebral palsy.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“The way I think it really should be is that the child should stay in one house. Let the parents do the moving.”

Taffy Manuelian to her daughter, Clio.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“Don't ever let anybody tell you they can do something to you. You're free, man. You don't have to take that.”

Ralph Tremonte and Donald Weiss, who spent their childhoods together in a psychiatric hospital, reunite after 40 years.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“I said, 'I'm never taking a walk again,' and you said, 'Well, that's okay. But just for now, let's take a walk.'”

Doris Cohen to her daughter, Lisa.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“Everybody's got something in their life they're good at. This is what I do good. I eat.”

Competitive eater Don "Moses" Lerman remembers winning his first contest.

Recorded in New York, NY.

“So I ran back to the bus, and I said, 'Sweetie, your restaurant is right here.'”

New York City bus operator Ronald Ruiz remembers one of his passengers on the City Island line in the Bronx.

Recorded in New York, NY.

StoryCorps Sampler: Volume 2

This installment of the StoryCorps Sampler series features interviews collected at our flagship StoryBooth in New York City's Grand Central Terminal during the project's first year.

Released November 2004. Produced by Sarah Kramer.

“I have a 16-year-old heart, a 33-year-old mind, and a 73-year-old body.”

Richard Hunt to his daughter, Leslie Hunt.

Recorded in New York, NY.