My Family Culture

Imagine the following:

A major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture.

Blog about all of the following:

• A description of the three items you would choose:

I couldn’t imagine going anywhere without my 2 dogs.  I know that they are not small items, but they are far too important to me to leave behind!  They are the most important 2 possessions in my life and I would trade any other three items to be able to take them.

Assuming that they are considered to be part of my immediate family and are already coming, my three items would be as follows:

1.       My memory box:  This contains pictures, ticket stubs, and keepsakes from nearly every special date, movie, dinner, or trip that my fiancé and I have taken together.

2.       My running shoes

3.       My iPod

• How you would explain to others what each of these items means to you

1.       My memory box is an important reminder of all the special times my fiancé and I have had together.  It is a collection of our favorite experiences and memories, and symbolizes the start of our lives together.

2.       Running is a very important part of my life, not only physically but mentally as well.  For a fitness view point, staying in shape and active has always been an important part of my life.  When I was a child through my teen years, it was through sports and dancing.  I spent my 20’s experimenting with several types of workout programs and fads.  But it wasn’t until just about two years ago that I found running as my physical and emotional outlet.  Running is freeing to me.  It makes me feel good about myself, allows me to blow off any steam, release any anger, think things through, and clear my mind.

3.       I have always loved music, a passion that was passed to me from my dad.  Early in life I played multiple instruments, and my dad taught me about classic rock musicians.  Throughout my life I have developed quite an eclectic collection of music.  I have music to fit and ease my many moods.  Much like running, it allows me to think clearly and relax.

• 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

I would be angry and confused, but I suppose I would choose my memory box.  Memories cannot be replaced.

• Any insights you gained about yourself, your family culture, diversity, and/or cultural differences in general, as a result of this exercise,

I’ve realized that what is most important to me is that which allows me to reflect, unwind, distress.