My Family Culture 

If a major catastrophe were to happen and almost completely devastate the infrastructure of my country, and I was given the choice to take three small items along with a change of clothes with me to a foreign land, the three items that I hold dear and that represent my family culture are an afghan crocheted by my mother, the family Bible, and a family picture from our latest annual trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. 

My mother has crocheted afghan blankets for friends and family for years.  It is her way of sharing her talent and love for others.  We are all comforted and kept warm under her afghan blankets. 

The family Bible is an heirloom passed down for several generations starting with the names of my great-grandparents.  It represents my family religious beliefs and values.  

Each year my entire family gathers at the Outer Banks for a week long vacation, and we have a family photo taken.  We have been doing this for eight years now.  It has been wonderful seeing the cousins grow-up together, as we live very far from each other.  Our parents and brother are also in attendance.  We go parasailing, on tours to see the wild horses, watch the play The Lost Colony, climb the sand dunes at Kitty Hawk, and visit the Wright Brother’s Museum.  The best part is just being together laughing and making memories.  The family photo is taken each year to commemorate our time together. 

If, upon arrival, I was told that I could only keep one personal item and have to give up the other two items, I would keep the photo of my family.  Seeing them would give me strength to carry on.  The afghan would hopefully go to someone who needed it more than I did, and the Bible would hopefully be read by someone who needed to hear God’s word during this difficult time. 

Throughout the day, as I pondered on this assignment, the insight that I gained about myself was how important my family is to me.  They are my strength, my guidance, and my support through all things.