weeklychronicles

[weeklychronicles]

“What Would You Risk Your Life For?”

I think this question can really make you think because your words can differ from your actions. Is there anyone or anything you would risk your life for? What if you said you would risk your life for someone, but when it actually happens you can’t. Your life means a lot more to you than you might think, and it should. But if I were to risk my life for something, it would be the people I call family. They mean the world to me and matter more to me than they will ever know. There’s that feeling where you just know, and it comes to me whenever I’m around them. I also think they could accomplish so many things with their lives, even though all of them doubt themselves. Don’t get me wrong I love almost everyone I meet because they all change your life in certain ways, but I knew that a gun being pointed at them wouldn’t bring me as much fear as it would be compared to the people I consider family. I don’t think I love anything enough to risk my life for it, because I know that when you die you’ll lose it all anyway. With this being said I know that my words won’t matter but if that moment ever strikes, what happens will determine whether or not I stay true to my words. But, is there a certain criterion you would follow? Or if you would risk your life, is that someone or something actually worth your sacrifice?

[weeklychronicles]

“Will You Follow in Your Parent’s Footsteps?”

Being raised by immigrant parents, we grew up hearing stories of how hard their life was and how grateful we should be even for what might seem like the tiniest things such as not having to walk several miles over a hill to arrive at school. Our parent’s footsteps as kids seemed so heavy and burdened, like just the heaviest weight being placed on their shoulders. They always say their struggles are for us and our future though, so growing up I thought I was in debt to them and had to repay them by doing exactly what they did or planned to do. But now being older, the understanding of debt to your parents is different in which there is no way to pay it back to them. In our culture, we don’t express love as broadly but we do subtle actions, in my family allowing us to pick our future (even if it comes with a side of judgment), cooking meals together, and going to Mass together are all signs of our love. With that being said, I don’t think I will be following in my parent’s footsteps because we are not interested in the same careers and just have different outlooks on life. Sure, I want to follow by going to college, graduating, giving back to the community, getting a job, but I know for a fact that everything else will be different. Most of our parents did start and carve out a path for our future, but in the end, we are living it out and completing it, whether or not that is identical to their path.

[weeklychronicles]

How Do You Define “Family”

I think a family is defined by the people involved, how much love/trust you have for each other, and at the end of the day, how and if you are there for each other. The saying “Blood is thicker than water” by Seanan Mcguire is often used and depicted when describing family, but I don’t think that it’s actually true. Many people grow up with a family, to whom they aren’t related by blood but still receive the adequate representation of love, blood-related families receive. Verse versa sometimes people are treated worse in their actual family. When I think of family, it’s a person or multiple people who is there for you, who you love/trust/will be there for unconditionally (even if you don’t show it), vice versa, push you to be better, and is excited for your achievements just as they are ready to guide you as you fail. Of course, when you are asked about who your family is you may answer with your siblings and parents but think about it again and who does your mind go to first. In my head of course my actual family pops up, but my best friend and the people I’ve met through a program also pop up and so that’s how I know they are family. Maybe if you’re struggling with identity and who family to you is, you can take time to just think or feel it out. Family and identity don’t have to come from whom you are born with but rather those who make the hard times less of a struggle.