My Three Items in the event of a world
catastrophe…
I want to preface this with this
assignment was really hard! I really had to dig deep to think what I would take
with me…
1 1)Pictures – family pictures from both my side
and my husband’s side. This would have to include physical pictures and digital
copies. (which now makes me think all pictures should be scanned and saved onto one device for convenience...)
To others, I
would explain the people in the – who they are and what they mean to me. Maybe
a special memory, time or place with that person etc… So many pictures but how
else do show other people your memories?
2) My wedding quilt made by my grandma
I
would tell everyone about my grandma and that she was most special to me. My grandma and I had a bond from when I was
very young and I spent much of my childhood with her, helping her clean her
house, garage sale-ing with her, picking fruits and vegetables from her garden…
My grandma loved to sew and made me the most beautiful blankets, pillows, Christmas
tree skirts etc… For my wedding, she made this quilt that I cherish as it will
probably be the last thing she makes for me as an adult. (she has 35 grand children
and 8 great grandchildren – her sewing projects are limited)
3) Shot gun (my husband’s suggestion)
While
racking my brain for a third item, my husband suggested a shot gun. At first I
said no, but as I thought about it, my dad was an avid hunter and my husband
likes to partake in the festivities each year (though he rarely brings anything
home). The shot gun could serve its purpose to find food in our new country or
to provide protection if need be.
If
I were told I could only keep one of these items… I would be distraught. I
would feel cheated – and then I would have to choose. I would choose the pictures but my husband
would choose the shot gun. I am emotional and sentimental; the pictures could
tell our stories for decades to come and is truly the only item(s) I would want
from our old life.
As
I thought about the items I would bring, I realized that our family is not
rooted by a deep feeling of culture. By
that I mean, there isn’t some deep heritage and tradition that binds us
together but rather just the closeness of family and the times we have spent
together. This exercise also made think
about the traditions we are already establishing with our young family and it
has made me want to make sure we follow through with these traditions – nightly
story time, walks around the neighborhood, trips to the grocery store- all
which might seem insignificant but the making of memories is so important!
Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI had a difficult time with this assignment as well! I literally sat in my room for 20 minutes deciding which of my possessions were of greatest importance. It is scary to think of a situation like this every happening. Though there are many people who are in this situation. War or other circumstances may force them out of their home and into another country and culture with nothing more than the clothes on their back; without any mementos. I also chose pictures as the one of my three items that I would keep. It would be nice to have something to look back on and actually have the chance to see your family and former home. Also, I think they would come in good use to be able to show and explain your own family culture to those in this new culture.
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI chuckled when reading your post. Your husband sounds a lot like mine in wanting to be more practical than sentimental. Traditions play an enormous role in our family dynamics those are the first things we remember and relate to. Wonderful post.
Hello Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThis assignment was a challenge but it gave great insight to the depth of who I am. I enjoyed your post about the shotgun as a item that you could not leave without. It would be interesting to see if you could get that thing through customs. I love the story about your grandmother and the quilt. I did not have those types of traditions by my grandmother. I love talking to her and getting great stories but never received any tangible articles of importance. Family traditions are so important and we are creating many of our own to start with our children.
Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. I had a difficult time with this assignment too. Like you, I have some family heirlooms that represent some very important memories from family members gone but not forgotten. I hold things my grandmothers gave to me very dear, since I was close with them and am even named after them both! I also chuckled when I read your post about the shotgun. Your husband sounds a lot like mine- more practical than anything else.
Hello Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThis week's blog was very difficult. I enjoyed reading to see what items you would take. I chose a cell phone, charger, and my purse. I choose this items because they contain photos, video's, ID cards and would help me remember who I am. It also would have things in them that showed my loved ones and friends. This assignment showed me that we should not base our family culture in materialistic things because they don't last always. We should remember it comes from the heart and memories we build with those who are meaningful to us.
Pleasure reading,
Tierra Jackson