Hmmmm. Three items to bring with me to my new home in who knows what country... Only three? Well, my bible is number one. I have notes and memories and I do not want to get to a new country and be without a bible especially given the circumstances under which we would be leaving our home, possibly forever. It also would be important for me to be able to teach my children from it and to ensure they have an understanding of it regardless of where we live.
Item number two would be a photo album I put together with pictures of our entire family. It includes four generations of family members and has writing in it describing who everyone is. This would help my children to know what life was like before the catastrophic event that landed us in this new country and it would help us remember our life before as well.
Lastly, I would bring a large tarp. I know it sounds strange but wherever we are going, we could use a tarp if needed for help keeping cool or staying dry or staying warm. It doesn't necessarily preserve our culture but it would help my family and the practical side of me can't help it. (My husband wanted to bring three different kinds of weapons.) Haha! (My son says that's not funny Mom, that's smart!)
If we arrived and we were told we could only keep one, I would probably take the tarp. I have the word of the Lord in my heart and we could pass our family history down with stories and descriptions. The tarp is the thing that would help my children and I would choose that. As long as we were able to talk, I think we could convey the truth about our family and our history verbally with the best result.
This assignment was interesting. I shared it with my family and we all had very different ideas of what we would bring. The boys were very concerned with survival tools and not as concerned with sentimental items and even I was concerned with keeping my family safe over bringing items for cultural preservation. I am looking forward to reading my classmates to see if they are similar or different than mine.
Cari,
ReplyDeleteThis is funny! We had the same discussion at home. We thought about items that would remind us of one another, but we mostly thought of survival tools. And, this is one of the problems I had with the assignment. I could not think of material items that epitomize my family culture. However, I believe that I am my culture, and if I survive, my culture would. That is why the survival tools were important to take with. I enjoyed reading your blog.
Nar
Nar,
DeleteYa, the boys really thought bringing anything sentimental would simply be a waste. Of course my husband says, "No one is moving me anywhere!" I guess he is ready to fight to the death rather than lose his freedom :) Thanks for your comment!
Cari,
ReplyDeleteI thought of my Bible and a photo album but I was not thinking practical enough to bring a survival item like a trap. Great Idea! I think the tarp idea means that in your family you value resourcefulness and you place great importance on your role as protector of you children. Thanks for your post.
Laura
Thanks Laura,
DeleteI just couldn't let it go. I think you are right about us valuing resourcefulness. I guess that IS part of our family culture!