A description of the three items you would choose
How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you
Your feelings if, upon arrival, you were told that you could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items you brought with you
Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,
This blog assignment is a bit hard for me as I chose a life that I do not own much, because I relocate every two or three years, and I am not really attached to things. For instance, I do not have any Brazilian objects at home that have a special meaning, besides photos, couple pieces of jewelry and some religious items. I had to sell all my things or leave them behind to pursue a career that would bring me other opportunities.
However, I choose the following:
A family photo, a guia de protecao (protection necklace/guide), a picture book of Brazil.
Tha family photo (extended family) shows my dear family members, the people that influenced me, raised me and are the most precious thing to me. It shows how united we have always been and how fun and chaotic is a big Italo-Brazilian family. It reminds me of all parties, food, laughter and moments we have shared together.
The protection necklace is related to religion. It is a Brazilian religion with African roots, that involves other religions (Asian and pagan) and represents acceptance, spirituality, and love. It means good-willing and embracing differences to me. It also means music, as all the mass is sung with accompanying drums.
A picture book of Brazil, so everyone can see by themselves how blessed, diverse and beautiful my native country is. It will help me share and tell anecdotes about the nation I come from and what it represents.
I would obviously be upset about leaving behind the guia necklace and the picture book, but I would most definitely choose the picture. Everything else can be replaced but family bonds can't and these ties are important.
I have learned that family and family culture is a fundamental part of us.
I love your tokens that you would take with you if you had to depart from your home. Your family has a lot of things they hold sacred. My family is large on pictures and out of mostly any and everything in our culture, pictures are what hold our story together. Family culture is definitely a fundamental part of us all.
ReplyDeleteI love your three times :) I find the guia necklace interesting and I'm sure it's beautiful. I also love how you would show people the culture and beauty of Brazil through a beautiful picture book. Also, of course, a family photo is a must and a definite necessity in being able to show your person culture and who/what you come from
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... maybe the necklace would not 'count' if it is on your person. I was imagining items 'not on your person', or things that cannot fit in your pockets...
ReplyDeleteI love that I learned a lesson in culture from your items and their description! The necklace sounds wonderful! You are truly blessed to have such a rich family history and the insight to value it. Lovely post!
Renata,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I, too, chose pictures of family as one of the 3 things that I would take with me. They really are irreplaceable. As our memory fades, it is so nice to sit down and look back on family pictures and family members, living or deceased. I love that you chose a protection necklace. I have a friend who is from Brazil, who now lives in the U.S. , and she is always sharing with me her stories of growing up in Brazil. Your family and your Brazilian culture sounds very important to you. Thanks for sharing with us!
Jennifer