If I had to leave from my current location, after a major catastrophe, and into another country, I would bring three items with me. I would bring my family heirlooms first; my grandmothers’ jewelry that has been passed down through generations, for which I currently own. Another item I would bring, would be my family photos and baby photo albums/baby books of my son, and lastly I would bring my sewing machine or sewing supplies. The significance of these items are simply, sentimental. The family heirlooms I possess consist of a pearl ring from my mother’s side and was originally my great grandmother’s who I never met and passed away at an early age. The other pieces of jewelry are from my paternal grandmother who I become really close to especially a few years before she passed away and out of all the four children and ten grandchildren she had, she gave her jewelry to me over time through the last few years. Some pieces have no history to them and others have meaning of multiple owners, how she received them or even pieces directly from Lithuania and significant to Lithuania’s culture. My family means everything to me and when significant moments are captured through photographs, such as my brother’s wedding, or other family gatherings, and especially photos from milestones during my son’s life are all hugely important to me for which I treasure greatly. My sewing machine is not only a tool for me to physically create my creativity and my designs but both my mother, grandmother and great grandmother all knew how to sew and my great grandmother was in fact a seamstress and worked in a shop so just the idea of sewing has been a family ability, almost identity. (And if one was asked to only bring one pair of clothing, you would most likely need more down the line and sewing clothes would be the ideal option if you were in another country with nothing else) If I was not able to bring my sewing machine because of possible lack of electricity, then I would bring a small sewing kit to at least use the next best thing.
Obviously all of these items are significant because they have meaning behind it or a story behind it. If I was ever told that I had to pick one item and give up the other two, many emotions would surface. Pictures of my own child and key points in his life, family connections that once the actual people pass on the pictures stay alive, jewelry connecting me to others I have not met or experiences that I have not personally experienced or even a connection to both my passion and multiple generations and the one thing that connects us… I can not imagine choosing, I wouldn’t be able to. My feelings? -Heartache, anger, sadness, and utmost refusal.
This exercise has made me look at what items are truly important in my life besides the people in it. This made me look closer at these items and almost analyze my own family culture in a way I haven’t done before. I did not see, however, real cultural differences in this exercise, more of a focus on just my own.
Jaime, I find it so interesting to see what means the most to other people. You obviously have some strong family ties and sentimental pieces that are near and dear to your heart. The bottom line is, though, that these pieces are most significant to you because of the relationship that was tied to them. You have deep family roots, which are evident in the fact that you would not be able to choose between these items. I can see you standing there on this foreign soil holding on to these things in your arms weeping. How strong our emotions are when it comes to family! Thank you for your honesty and openness Jaime.
ReplyDeleteCindy
I also thought about bringing pieces of jewelry. I now feel badly that I did not choose that, because after reading your entry, I realize how important that is to me. Certain pieces that were passed down to me, I cherish and look at often. I enjoyed reading about the sewing machine. I do not like to sew and I was really impressed with the generations in your family that sew. I felt like I got to know you better and I think that is a perfect thing to bring.
ReplyDeleteJaime,
ReplyDeleteI too understand the feeling of frustration, anger, sadness, confusion due to making a choice of what to bring if I had to leave due to a catastrophe. However, I thought about jewelry but every piece I find near and dear to my heart I never remove from my body except to clean. I never thought of those being the items I would have to choose. Diamond earrings my mother gave to me for my last birthday, which were hers. Then my boyfriend gave me a Tiffany’s charm bracelet which each charm resembles an accomplishment or love. This was something I always wanted, because my mother had one and it was lost during a move 19 years ago. I feel my daughter could have it and share with her daughters if she has any. The passion of education I have and the love that I have for others. I guess if I had to choose I would keep the earrings, and 1TB hard drive and grandfathers book still. Thank you, for sharing your story of the love of sewing within your family’s culture.