About 4 years ago I wrote a post about having a quilting heritage. I quilt partly because my forebears quilted. But I have much more than a quilting heritage. So this weeks blog isn't about quilting.
I come from a long line of strong women. I know that because how they handled the things they faced, I can face whatever comes into my life. That doesn't mean I have to like it. that doesn't mean it will be easy. It does mean I am capable of dealing with hard things. The tumultus time we are currently living in has me thinking about a lot of things. One of which is how my heritage defines me. It's about who I am.
This past couple of weeks, my family and I have been canning food. Both my husband and I grew up in homes where canning took place. In the first half our marriage, we canned a lot. We had big gardens and canned what we grew. As well as taking advantage of relatives who were willing to share their extra produce from their gardens and fruit trees. In our home it has always been a family project. This doesn't surprise anyone that knows me. People identify canning as being part of who I am. I have been sought out for advice on canning by people older and more experienced than I.
Crafting is another part of my heritage. Growing up, there were always supplies available to me, even if it was just crayons and paper. Mom made us salt clay to play with. My mother was creative. She didn't think so but she was. She sewed our halloween costumes even when my brother wanted to be a T-Rex. In fact Mom made a paper mache head for the costume. I think other members of the family even pitched in to help. Creativity was encouraged and fostered. We tried to pass that on to our children. I have three children who draw quite well. The others dabble in other medias.
I come from readers as well. Reading was encouraged and there were lots of books in the house. My husband's family not so much, but he is a reader. Our house if full of books from all genres. For the most part my children are readers. Again a heritage that has been passed on down.
Both my husband and I were taught to have good work ethic. My husband more so than I. I am proud to say that my children have that work ethic. Their bosses have even let us know that they really appreciate it.
We were taught right from wrong. We were taught to stand up for ourselves and for what is right. We were taught the violence didn't solve anything. We passed those lessons on to our children.
We were taught that the color of a person's skin is irrelevant. That all men and women are entitled to the same treatment as everyone else. We were taught not to judge others. Quite simply judging is wrong. We were taught that we had no idea what a person has gone through or may be going through so be kind. My mother had a gift for accepting people for who they are and loving them unconditionally. A lesson she tried to pass on to me. I still struggle with it at times. My father had the gift of being calm.
I was taught to be a contributing member of society by learning to be a contributing member of my family. We taught our children that they were a part of the "unit" (family) and that as a member they had a responsibility to contribute to it. That lesson transfers over to anything they belong to not the least of which is society.
I know I have been blessed in my life. But I work hard for what I have. My heritage was a gift passed down to me by my ancestors. But what I have done with that heritage is what makes me who I am.
Someone recently accused me of having "white privilege". I dis-agreed with them. I work hard. I've struggled financially and spiritually at times. I've been hurt by those I've trusted. I've been wrongly passed over for promotion based on idle gossip. I've felt like I was failure at times. I've been judged on my appearance. I've been belittled because of my religion. I've been criticized for choices I made, Some of which were heartbreaking decisions. I don't have any special privilege.
What I have is a great heritage. It was the example that was set for me by my ancestors. It is the skills that were given to me by family. It is the morals and ethics that I was taught. It is the understanding that working for something makes it mean so much more. It is knowing that I am a member of the unit. It is understanding that I must contribute to that unit. So NO, I am not privileged.
What I am is a survivor, an achiever, a teacher, a mentor, a crafter, a quilter, and the descendant of wonderful strong people who persevered. But most importantly, I Am A Daughter of God! And He expects me to work hard, love everyone, forgive others whether they deserve it or not, and strive to come back to live with him.
Who are you? What was your heritage? What have you done with it?
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