A major catastrophe.............I am imagining all different types of scenarios. The three items I would choose to bring with me would be my bible, a family photo and the dog. I hold the bible dear to me and would explain it as my "rule book" to remind me how to live my life. I would bring a family photo so I can remember my family with love and be reminded of how dear to me they are. And lastly, I would bring our dog because he is a true reminder of the love we share. My children have always had a dog and although we have gone through a few over the years, they are always loved like family members and would be lost without us and us without them.
My feelings upon arrival if I was told I could only keep one item would be extreme devastation. I would probably experience the same feelings I had when I had to choose only three items in the aftermath of the major catastrophe. I would definitely feel lost and floundering. All three of the items I chose are integral parts of my life and who I am.
The insights I gained just from doing this exercise are enormous. It must be devastating to leave behind all you hold dear and then move to a place where you will never see any of your family or "things" again. Refugees are lucky to have their lives, but I am sure some of them feel like they were leaving their entire lives behind and had no idea of what direction they should go in. How easy it must have been to sweep them up and assimilate them into the dominant culture! If really thinking this through doesn't make you more culturally sensitive, nothing will!
I agree; it would be past devastating to have to leave your life as you know it. How strange would it be to go somewhere else and have to conform to their dominant culture? This has surely made me rethink a lot of things. I can't imagine how some must feel when dominant cultures are forced upon them and their children!
ReplyDeleteDeb,
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that we have all chosen the Bible as our guide and our heritage. I beleive the Bible is a connection for most families as it has been around since the beginning of time. I really like that you would bring your dogs too! We have teo and I cannot imagine them not coming with us, they really are apart of the family.
I thought this was a worthwhile exercise. I do value the little things in life. I agree with you that having to leave two of only three items behind would be devastating. I pray I never have to deal with something this grand however it does make a person think.
ReplyDeleteJosie
Deb,
ReplyDeleteIts interesting how you selected to bring your dog along with you and I say that because we often reflect on what or who we need but not who needs us and its great you were thinking about your family pet.
I agree with you that this would be most devastating to any family. It would be a total life changing shock. I can say that this has made me sit down with my husband and children. My family means the world to me and hope we won't have to experience something so drastic.
ReplyDelete