Saturday, May 18, 2013

My Family Culture


Three items of choice:

*      Rope Bed

*      Family Tree

*      History book of my family

 

What they mean to me:

*      The rope bed has been in my family for over a hundred years, it was my great-great grandparent’s bed. My mother used it when she was a little girl and it was passed to her when my great grandmother died. When I was a little girl my parents bought a mattress for it so that I could use it. I am a huge lover of history and the fact that the bed was old and a family heirloom it meant the world to me.

*      I have a framed family tree that was done for me for my 40th birthday that goes back to before my family was even in this country. I love that it includes pictures of my family including mine. I would love to have it so that future generations can see where we came from.

*      The history book of my family was also a present for my 40th birthday and means as much to me as the other items. The book dates to when my family first came here on my father’s side of the family in 1742. I have learned so much from the book including that I have family that fought in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. I also have a picture of my family gathered at Devil’s Den in Gettysburg PA, where my great grandfather lost a close friend. We went there on my 40th birthday and had another family picture taken to place next to the one taken almost 100 years ago.

 

If I were told I could only keep one item, I am not sure how I would react, I am not sure if I would stay, honestly I cannot answer this question. I know now I would have a lot to say if I were told I cannot keep my items, however, if I had to choose between my children and items my children would come first, but those items rate just below my children because they are my past. They are what made me who I am, and I want my children to have them so that they can pass them down and always have a piece of where they came from.

I enjoyed choosing my items and discussing them, until I had to think about leaving them behind. My family and history are my two great loves in life and I truly do not know what I would do without them. This has been interesting to me because it really made me have to think about what is important to me and truly how important my items are.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Elizabeth,
    I enjoyed reading your blog. The items you chose really show your love for your family and your family's history. I also found it hard thinking about leaving the items that I had chosen behind. I also did not like having to think about leaving my daughter behind. She means everything to me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How lucky you are to have such wonderful items to represent your past. Sounds like someone did a lot of work to make sure that you always remembered where you came from. It would be hard for me to part from any of those items as well. Obviously you have a great love for your past and your family!! Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have given me a brilliant idea, I really enjoyed your comment about your family tree. I enjoyed completing my family tree in school, but to have a picture of each member and a short quote about who they are and their accomplishments will be a great historical reference to have. This will allow younger generations family history for their lives and future. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. HI Elizabeth,

    It sounds like your family history is very important to you. The Hawaiians have a saying that in essence says that we can only know our future if we know our past. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete