photo: Gerstner family archives. Year unknown
Anna and Herman Gerstner, my grandparents.
Saradunn 2015
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TPOS prompt: your heritage cultural,
history as a bridge to your future family,
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My Response to the Prompt
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engagement ring
dainty pearls set in rose gold
thoughts swirl
corseted grandma once petite
stern grandpa ~ not always
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( All the traditions like fireworks in a night sky.
Chinese New Year, Vietnamese New Year, Mardi Gras,
Diwali, celebration of Lights,
Nowrooz, the beautiful Persian New Year —
the world is smaller now and our hearts grow bigger…
we embrace not only our own past
but the joy of celebrations of all cultures.
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When we were in Shanghai at Winter Holiday season,
all the waiters in restaurants were wearing Santa hats.
I asked. They said “here we celebrate EVERYTHING”
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What are your roots,
how do the spread into your life,
make a bridge the future?
Your own family history,
immediate and deep rooted…
where does it lead?
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My mother (94) has beautiful handwriting,
wore ribbons in her hair from babyhood and on…
how does this become you?
How does the
beauty,
complexity,
pain,
of the past determine the landscape of now and tomorrow?)
Kathabela’s mother, Mary Abela (now 94) as a baby.
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siggiofmaine 