Monday, May 7, 2012

My family culture


A description of the three items you would choose



If I had to uproot my family and move with only 3 necessities I would take:

-Birth certificates

-Pictures

-Cuddle item that means something to my kids.



How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you



I would take the birth certificates so that my children and I could prove where we were born and revisit our birth places when given the chance.  I would take pictures so that the children could remember where they had lived and feel close to something that is familiar.  I would also take a cuddle item for them so they wouldn’t feel entirely lost in a new world and in a new environment.



Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you



If I was told that I had to give up 2 of the items I would be disappointed and hurt.  I think that these items would help us to be able to reestablish ourselves in a new world.  If I had to give up 2 items they would be the pictures and cuddle items. I think that it would be more important for us to be able to prove where we had come from and where we need to be.



Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,



An insight that I gained about myself is that I am focused on my children and their comfort zone.  I want only what’s best for them and would absolutely put them and my husband first.  I do think that as long as we were able to stick together as a family would could make it through anything.

4 comments:

  1. What would you do if you were told that you would never return to your home country? Yes, it hurts, I had the reverse situation and it hurt deeply. I had to leave Africa not being allowed to tell my African friends goodbye.
    Barbara

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  2. DeWana,

    All the items you listed and explain makes very good sense. Especially the items for the children. I too, almost listed birth records. But, went another route. This assignment really got me to think about what's important to me and help me to realize what represents my family. It also, made me feel a little uncomfortable and brought me out of my comfort zone. Awesome assignment!

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  3. When I read you saying that you would keep the birth certificates I though to myself how important it must be for you and your children to remember where you came from and to be able to hold onto some reminder of that. I can see how significant a role that plays in your culture and in who you are. Thank you for sharing that.

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  4. DeWana,
    I think that your idea of taking the birth certificates is a great one! That is something that could come in handy in a variety of ways. The fact that you chose to take something for your children to cuddle speaks volumes about you as a parent and a person.

    Thank you for sharing! Have a great week!
    Jamie

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