Someone significant in the literacy sponsor aspect of my life right now is my parents. Although we were all born in Sri Lanka, I don’t remember much from my life back then because I was very young when my parents decided to move here. Therefore, they would often tell me stories from my childhood and that became a way for me to stay connected to my life back in the homeland. They would also tell me stories from their childhood, so that I would know what it was like growing up there since I never got the chance to experience it. After hearing their stories, it made me realize their childhood was nothing like mine. They actually spent time outdoors and hung out with friends. I don’t know how I felt about it, a part of me wishes my childhood was like that without phones and social media and all the trauma that comes with it but at the same time I have so many more opportunities and privileges than they did while they were my age.
One specific story I remember them telling me is how my dad always went fishing in the Indian ocean every afternoon with his friend. One day while they were out, they got caught in a really strong current, which ended up flipping over the boat. He told me his exact words at the moment was “jesu maria juse” which basically means “jesus mary joseph” and I asked him why would he say their names instead of trying to swim parallel to the current. He told me that it gave him the spiritual help he needed in that moment to clear his head and do what he has to do to survive. My dad told me it’s a cultural thing within the Sri Lankan catholic community to say that in times of uncertainty or state of emergencies. Eventually he did make it out alive. Nonetheless, that’s one story I’ll never forget because it made me realize I’ll never get to experience anything as close to exciting (or life threatening) as that. I can only experience it through their stories about their childhoods. It also enabled me to learn something about my culture and the people in Sri Lanka. It made me realize that there are so many little things I never got to learn about my culture. It made me want to ask questions and learn more, so that I can connect with my culture and my parents more deeply through listening to their experiences.
Firstly, I completely agree about technology in our childhood. Although I’m very grateful for my upbringing, I do always say that I was born in the wrong era and wish I was born in the 60’s. It must be super hard for you to not remember much from your childhood, but like you said, its a really cool opportunity to connect with your culture. I think passing stories down verbally is the coolest way to hear stories- it could help you connect with it more.
I love how your parents were able to connect you back to your hometown with stories at a time were you weren’t able to do so, I can see how that can be super enriching and dear to you and would be a great thing to write about. I see how the story about your father’s experience was a big shift for you that allowed you to ask yourself questions like I asked myself after talking to my uncle about his experiences, so I definitely connect to that.
I love how you show respect to your parents who moved here and are still able to connect you to your hometown
I enjoyed reading your story and I loved how part of your culture was incorporated in it. It’s good that your parents can tell you about memories that they hold close to their heart, and although you didn’t experience those things you can feel as close to it as they did.
I agree with you that technology has played a significant role in our childhoods compared to our parents. I think it’s really inspiring of you to keep asking your parents questions about their lives in order to connect with your culture through story telling.
I admire the relationship you have with you parents. Its also really cool how you connect your culture with the relationship you have with them.