My life as a Latina woman who stands by the phrase, “Nada es más importante que la familia, nunca olvides de eso”, these words are repeated every single day. It specifically means, “nothing is more important than family, never forget that.” It is one of my parent’s life lesson that has kept the family united and stronger. These magical words will stick with me forever. Being one of the youngest of four sisters, I have always understood the feeling of power when we are together because it advises us and others that nothing and no one will ever come in between us. Nobody ever feels lonely because of the amount of love we give to each other. Memories are the only thing that still keeps reminding me of the importance of family.
My sisters
…show more content…
The whole family comes together for this special holiday. We have so many traditions of that particular day. When I was a child in the month of December, every morning my father would put Christmas songs in my room. The very first song that he would play is ,“It’s the Most Wonderful time of the Year” this song gives me joy to this present day. I would wake up to this song and find my dad in the living room waiting for a dance, he would spin me what felt like endless. On that afternoon, my mother and I would start making delicious tamales and posole while my dad is making his famous dessert, cheesecake. Then on that cold and dark night my sisters dressed up my dad in a Santa costume and sent him to the roof. I was in disbelief when I saw “Santa” on my roof. My parents would remind me that I was the happiest girl in the world that night. They would say that my eyes were wide and my mouth was open the whole time “he” was up there. It was never about the presents that would await for me in Christmas morning, it was about the whole family being together and having a fun time. Which we did and I still continue to understand that. My father made that special day just for
...ghtful and inspirational to many. Realizing that each member of a family has his own issues that he is dealing with on top of keeping his family together can alter his reasoning and decision-making. Becoming less self-obsessed and demonstrating empathy for family members during difficult circumstances can be essential in keeping a family strong. Building and fortifying a foundation of family unity can be pivotal distinction between a family who stands together and one who crumbles apart.
As a traditional, collectivistic cultural group, the Latino population is believed to adhere deeply to the value of familismo. (Arditti, 2006; Calzada, 2014). Familism is an emphasis on the importance of the family unit over values of autonomy and individualism”. (Santistaben, 2012). Family is considered to be the top priority in the Latino culture. Comparatively, at times, this isn’t true of our busy, work devoted western culture. In western culture we think of our family in a nuclear sense made up of a: mom, dad, and siblings. Conversely, Hispanic culture focuses on the whole extended family including aunts, uncles, grandparent, and cousins. Their culture believes having close connections with the entire extended family benefits the development of their children. The entire family helps the child by giving them differing levels of social and emotional support. (American Home Resolutions,
Latin American society places a great deal of importance on the family as a support network; it is not uncommon for several generations to reside in the same house. This emphasis is called familismo, and the mother in the family is usually the most important figure. She “is seen as the primary nurturer and caregiver in the family…[and] plays a critical role in preservation of the family as a unit, as well as in...
Family is important in every culture, it shapes people and makes them who they are.
Many people in American society assume that the main purpose of Christmas is the supposed coming of Santa Claus. Their assumption however is far from the truth. The origins of Christmas, which literally means "Christ mass," actually lie in Christianity-not in the fat man with a stomach that jiggles like a bowl full of jelly. Centuries ago, Christians developed a tradition of celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday. Although Christians were unsure of the exact date of Christ's birth, they officially declared December 25th as the day they would celebrate it. The holiday began simply as a day in which families would spend quality time together, reflecting on Jesus' life, giving thanks to God for sending his "one and only son."
Those are just a few reasons why my family is my greatest accomplishment. I have finally realized something with age. The more I care about someone the more I manage to live myself. When someone’s life truly depends on whether or not you hit the snooze button on the alarm clock once or twice you realize your accomplishment may not be what you ever wanted for yourself. Yet somehow you feel accomplished simply because that person is here tomorrow to bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. Always remember that tears are not a bad thing. As my philosophical child Lena would put it “Tears are just your feeling trying to say hello.”
To me, family is the most important thing in my life. They always encourage me to be the best I can be and nothing more. A quote that I think describes family to me is one by Alex Haley that states, “In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, and bridge to our future.” Through the stories I hear from my mother and grandmother, I have a clear link to my families past and the generation of women that led to me. All the values these women held close to them throughout the years have led to the formation of myself and my values. Over the past three generations, the women in my family have overcome oppression. My mother, growing up in a time where women could never have aspirations to be CEO’s or politicians, somehow came out stronger. She saw what she didn’t want for her future, and jumped at the chance to start a new life in America. No single model of family life characterizes the American family, despite ideological beliefs to the contrary (Andersen). My family couldn’t be labeled an “Italian family” or an “American family.” We are a mix of the two cultures and ideologies, which is what makes us different. I am the first women in my mother’s family to be born and raised in America. My great grandmother had a complete different childhood and adolescence experience than I yet we still have a common cultural base. All her ideals were passed onto my grandmother, than all the down to me, a hundred years in the making to become who I am
Emma, Marissa and I are in charge of the making the lefse. This has been our job ever since we were little girls, becoming experts through all our years of experience. My grandma makes the most amazing food and always has enough to feed us for a week. After we stuff ourselves full of delicious, lasagna, salads, and hot dishes all made with love and while the adults lean back comfortably in their chairs, us kids go put on our pajamas and troop downstairs to open our gifts. The most memorable gift would be the ring my grandma gave me that used to be my great-grandmothers who died a couple days after my grandma turned fifteen. My great-grandma loved to travel and had a great passion for fashion, so this circle of metal with a little diamond in the middle and a floral pattern surrounding it, had been bought in California and has been in the family since. “Bang, bang, bang!” A huge pounding comes from the front door. Dogs bark, adults grin, and we race to open the creaky door. Santa Claus, eyes twinkling, dressed in red with coal-black boots, and swinging a sack over his right shoulder, steps inside. He plops down heavily; ringing merry bells and passes them off to David, my brother, telling him seriously to keep ringing them so Rudolf won’t fly away without him. With wide eyes, little David shakes the bells with such rigor that if Rudolf was in the North Pole he would be able to hear them. We each take a turn perching on his knee, hesitant at first but then opening up and telling him our age and that, “yes we have been really, really, really good this year.” As Santa’s beard tickles our chin as we lean in close for a picture and his big belly shakes as he laughs at the same time as you start to giggle. Then he opens his sack and pulls out gifts wrapped in colorful paper for each of us. With a few cookies for the road, crumbs in his beard and a
When the word “family” is discussed, most people think of mothers, fathers, and other siblings. Some people think of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even cousins and more on the pedigree tree. Without family in people's lives, they would not be the same people that they grew up to be today and in the future. When people hear the word family they think about, the ones who will help them in any way they can whether it’s money, support, advice, or anything to help them succeed in life. Family will forever be the backbone of support.
Christmas to me is a celebration, which includes spending time with my family, decorating the entire house, inside and out, and shopping, for the people I love. Doing this with the people I love is what means the most to me. Spending Christmas with my family is very important to me. We usually gather and celebrate at my parent’s house, in East Tennessee. My husband, our three children, and myself travel from California. My two sisters, their husbands, and children come from a nearby town, for our celebration.
People and life are constantly changing, people come in and out of your life, but your family will always remain present in your life. They are the ones who will never leave you. Though the Webster’s dictionary considers family as "the basic unit of society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children” (Webster). Family is the biggest part of an individual’s life. Families tend to each other’s needs and we create a bond with our family that will never be breakable. Family values should be treasured and remembered. No one could love you more than your family does; the best love is from your family. They will never let you stand alone and will always stand beside you and help you get through any obstacle.
Family plays an enormous role in people’s lives, and whether we like it or not our family helps shape us into who we are today. Many families were torn apart during the perilous 2004 tsunami that shook the earth and acquired many lives. When Dang was running, trying to escape the colossal wave that was ravaging her village, all she could contemplate was how to get back to her family. She did not stop to help other people, because she wanted to make sure her husband and children were unscathed. At one point, Dang ignored the warnings of a man who saved her, only thinking that, “…she needed to get home, and she needed to get there now.”(Krauss 127) Family provides unconditional love for most, and that love is something that we cling to in a hard-hearted world. Furthermore, a mother’s love for her child is undying and genuine. Nearly all mothers would give their lives for their children without a second thought. When facing disaster our loved ones are there cheering us on and holding us together. Family keeps us moving forward, and helps us overcome and conquer our worst fears and hardships.
As I look out my window I see tiny snowflakes slowly drifting down. I can hear the roar of laughter coming from the living room downstairs. Soon enough Saint Nick will be upon us. Christmas always brings everyone home for the holidays. Christmas is my favorite holiday because of the traditions my families and I celebrate that include our Christmas Eve routine, Christmas morning routine, and giving back to our community.
Ever since I could remember, I have spent Christmas at my grandmother’s house, a house which is full of comfort, warmth, and happiness. At Christmas, I have always been able to escape the cold and dark real world allowing myself to truly enjoy just several moments in time. These moments have left impressionable memories from my childhood making Christmas a holiday that is special to me and my family. It is a time for my family to get together, share stories, laugh, and even cry.
Family is an extremely important relationship connection that should always be strong. Family will always be there to support you emotional and physical through any circumstances. I value my relationship with my family, they support me through my decisions and life goals in my life. I am definitely a family oriented person, family is my top priority. We come in as a family through