Yesterday I went to the local Buddhist Temple with my fiancé and his father to honor his ancestors. It was part of a “day of dead” type of occasion.
My fiancé did not teach me how to bow at the altars. I just basically watched other people and copied them. But it felt really awkward because I wasn’t it doing it right. Also, I am not even remotely Asian, so of course, I stood out like a sore thumb.
But afterwards we sat down to eat temple food. As we were eating a little girl came up to the altar and bowed. Her mom came up to her and taught her how. Three slow bows from the waist then three quick inclinations with hands together.
She was so adorable.
And it was really nice as it reminded me that lately I keep writing about legacies and traditions. And I realized I want this for my own children someday. A sense of knowing where they come from and little ways to remind them.
Little things like this, relating to cultures, traditions, and holidays even if I am not Buddhist, still feels important. Cultural events and reminders of ancestors are things I experienced here and there, but I can’t say I know a lot about.
They say our children are our future and it is more than a cliche. I want mine to know exactly what their cultures are, their parentage, and what kind of legacy they are carrying.
I didn’t care about these things, but…lately it is kind of my hope for the future. Because how can we ever understand where we are going if we don’t look back on where we’ve come from.
Latina. Writing enthusiast. Educator. Perspectiv.words Content Strategist, Editor, & Contributor. Loves science and a good debate. I write about what I see in an effort to better understand the world around me. I believe there is more than one story to tell and I don’t mind exploring them all.
