My Family Culture

In the face of a complete upheaval of life as I know it, what three items would symbolize my family life and give me comfort?  I thought of a pearl ring which I always wear to remind me of my grandmother who always wore a pearl ring.  I think about a dish from the collection of glassware I inherited from my other grandmother.  I think about a Lutheran hymnal which symbolizes my family’s faith and love for music.  I think about a music box that plays Amazing Grace.  I think about a pad of paper and pen to merely write down all my memories. 

 

In the end I settle on three photographs to take with me.  The first would be of my parents on their wedding day.  The second would be of my family and my brother’s family with my mom and dad at my mom’s retirement party.  The third would be of me with my sweetheart.  These photographs would be a comfort to me because they are of people I love.  If I was separated from them, I would want to remember that they were real in my life and that I will see them again in heaven.  Photographs are very important in the life of my family.  Framed photos are everywhere you look in our homes.  They symbolize the love we have for each other and the joy we have in being together.

If I had to choose only one photo I would keep the one of my parents.  Their love for each other and commitment to each other in marriage is the root of my very being and my family life.  Their 50-plus years of marriage is a reminder of the strength they have given me to persevere and overcome adversity.  Looking into their young faces would always be a place to start remembering all of the good things in my life that started with that vow.

This was a good exercise for me.  I realized how much time I spend taking care of, acquiring and getting rid of “stuff”.  It is good to reflect on what t is really important.  If the people in my life are so important I must not let taking care of “stuff” get in the way of spending time with them.

I realize that behind this assignment is a truth.  This very situation has happened to refugees to America that live within miles of us.  It reminds me to have compassion for them, take every opportunity to learn what is really important to them and try to help them preserve as much of their culture as possible.