If forced to evacuate to another
country, the three items that I would choose to take with me and my immediate
family that are representative of my family culture and that would mean the
most to me are: the ornaments that my children
have made over the years that hang on our tree every year at Christmas, my
rings (engagement, wedding band, and mother’s ring) and family photos.
I have saved all of the ornaments
that my three sons have made over the years and each year they go on the tree
first. There is an angel made
from glue, a piece of white muslin, glue, a silver pipe cleaner, and a
cardboard cone that sits on top of the tree.
These ornaments represent things that my children have made for me and
the memories that I have of them growing up and changing. As a child growing up and even now the
holidays do not represent getting and receiving presents, but the time you
spend with family-talking, eating, enjoying each others company.
What my rings represent and mean to
me are some of the most important events in my life: my marriage and the birth of my
children. I have spent the last thirty
years living away from my place of birth, from my parents, siblings and
extended family. My husband was in the
military when we married and that took us away from our childhood homes and all
that we knew. What I have found is that
where my husband and children are is my home and life.
My family photos are a way to go
back and jog the memory of events that get all jumbled up in day-to-day living. These are an item that all of my family could
look at and get an idea of the experiences that have been shared; events have
taken place and had meaning to our family.
Future generations could look at them and form an idea of our history
and culture.
If upon arrival and I was told that
I could only keep one item, it would be very upsetting considering what we had
already experienced, had given up and lost already. But after the initial shock and upset I hope
that I would hold onto what is most important and that is that possessions can
be lost and replaced; but memories are our forever and if we share them, will
not be lost. The insight gained from this
exercise will further reinforce what I already feel; it is the moments that we
live, share, learn and grow from that are the foundations of our families,
histories, and culture. These are what
are important and should be valued.
Hello Cindy: Same here, it was very hard to pick only one item to keep since all of them are so important to each one of us. I agree with you about keeping what is important to our families and always share and respect our values and culture.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteI really love your idea of taking the ornaments your children have made over the years with you if you and your family were evacuated. I also really like your idea of taking family photos. The saying "a picture tells a thousand words" holds true for memories as well.
Tara Fleishman
Cindy
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that all three of your items are collections rather than stand alone items. I wonder if there are other aspects within your personal identities that revolve around "completeness". Like you, the items I selected had value to my whole family and not just me as an individual. I think this is part of that shared experiences of the social role of "parent".
Thanks for sharing
~Lora
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. The ornaments remind me of my family. Beginning with my first Christmas, I would get an ornament from my Grandma and an ornament from my Mom. Every ornament also has the year that they were given. When I moved out, I had so many ornaments that I didn't have to buy any. My grandma did this for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My Mom still gives me an ornament every year and will do so when I have children. Unfortunately my Grandma passed away about 10 years ago so I am especially grateful to have them.
Melissa
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to living away from parents, siblings, extended family. At first it was so rough and then got better as I matured. I must tell you the things you choose to keep seem very significant and meaningful. You have said it perfectly family is the most important and we should live, love, share, learn and laugh together as much as we can. Creating as much happy memories as we can.
Vanessa