I believe that if I lost everything in a disaster that
having my three children alive and able to evacuate with me would be the only
thing of importance to me. There are no
materialistic items that would be valued more than my babies. If our family dog had survived and was
allowed to come with us, I would choose her because she has been the entity
that showed my children how to love and trust again after a horrific divorce
and custody battle. If she was not able
to come with us then, I would give each of my three children one of my allotted
items. Understandably some of you are
thinking that why would she not bring her bible, her, photos, her recipe book
of passed down traditions? I am thinking
all of those memories, beliefs, and tradition are kept deep within my heart
always available, and always there to share with my family. To a child the smallest tokens of childhood,
acceptance, and love a treasured in most insignificant items to adults, but to
a child means everything. That ragdoll,
special baseball gloves, the weird hair band, or the ragged picture of mom with
Easter bunny ears on? Who knows what these
items mean to a child but in a situation where everything that we know is now
gone, still may exists in their tiny treasures they take with them.
I really feel like that before this class I had a strong
family culture that was lead by our dominant culture. However, after this week’s discussions and
reflection I can feel even a great sense and a need to instill that more of our
family culture with my children. Helping
them to learn about our culture, accept it, and help other understand and
accept has a greater sense of importance.
I am so proud of my children and my entire extended family. Though we
are far from functional or typical we are true to the values and belief that we
hold dear. I am a proud Sothern American
but more importantly I hope to have let my mark on this world by mothering the
three most beautifully compassionate loving, and human spirited people that I
was capable of and they too were able to pass on my true love of family,
American pride, and old fashion southern qualities (only the good ones of
course!)
Haley,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I admire that you gave up your cultural items so that your child ren could have theirs. My niece just had her first child, my great niece, so I have been helping my niece teach her about my mother and our family's culture. Although we are a part of the larger American culture it is our family's culture that is most important.
Hi Haley, as a family we also decided that all would be good if at least we had each other. Family is truly important, it doesn't matter whether or not you match up to what books portray as family, no family is perfect. I come from a so-called typically family, that became so different after my dad was killed in a car accident, but believe me, we had our own share of huge issues. But to those looking in, they would never be able to tell. Which reminds me yet again ... how many other families with challenges are invisible. At least if one is aware of issues, as an Early Childhood Professional you can support and guide, but if you are oblivious the family remains isolated, dealing with their problems.
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