My Family Culture

 If my immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event, to bring them with me would be one its blessing. However, since I am told that my host country’s culture is completely different from my own, that I might have to stay there permanently and I am further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, I can only take 3 small items with me.

The three smalls items I hold dear and that represents my family culture are: 1). my family photo album. 2). the locket I have of my mother and father. 3). my DVD player and all DVD’s of my family gatherings.

My photo album goes back to all of all my family gatherings, the ones I attended and the ones when I was not born. This album would help me remember all of my family back then and now. I believe that would keep me grounded and make me smile on the days I would feel depressed. On one of my birthdays, my children gave me a locket that I wear on occasion of  my mother and father, that meant so much to me, most of all, they knew me enough to see how important it would be for me to have. My DVDs are of my family gatherings, when the kids are pulling the ropes to see who will win, the older people trying to play volley ball and let’s not forget all of the teasing we do to each other about our days as children. We have so much fun together.

My feelings if, upon arrival, I were told that I could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items I brought with me, upon finding out there is no electricity, I would have to chose my photo album, because that would be visual (something I could see), when looking at something, it will help me to never forget the people who made such a positive force in the way I see the world.

The insights I gained of myself, because of my family culture, is that I was brought up to see people for what they are and not the color of their skin so, even though I would miss everything about my country, it will not be a problem for me learn the cultures of another’s.