Do YOU Know?

The most important thing for a family to maintain a strengthened unit is for each member of the family to know. Just to know. What's happening, who's happening, when's something happening? The most important question of all, however, is from the past: who did what? In several studies in 2001, as reported in the New York Times, "The Stories That Bind Us," the more knowledge one gains about their family history, the stronger, easier, and more natural families become. 


It has also been shown that children, especially, who have been taught about their ancestry confront their trials with more perseverance and success than children who do not know. But why? “'The answers have to do with a child’s sense of being part of a larger family,' Dr. Duke said," (Feiler 1). To be a part of a larger community and to come from an inspiring story, a child is more likely to gain the confidence he or she would need to persevere through life's trials. 

This is my family, in Hong Kong, a few months ago on a family trip. Family excursions throughout the world are ways that my parents show me and my siblings that they care and want us to know the history of our culture and other's cultures. 

My mom's family comes from Italy, some of which still live there, just outside the city of Venice. A few years ago we had the opportunity to visit my moms cousins in Italy on our way through Europe, which was a last minute decision, and ended up as our highlight of the trip. We visited our family farm and my great-great-great grandmother's home that still stands today. It was fascinating to experience and made us feel united to our roots. I can't wait to go back!