A sense of place



the name is inspired by the song by They Might Be Giants, "Birdhouse in your Soul" which strangely I can't get out of my head....

My thoughts this weekend have been around a sense of place. My husband and I had lunch with his parents yesterday. They are Chinese Malaysian born, and have been in Australia since 1975. His parents yesterday started sharing some amazing stories regarding their lives in Malayasia during and after the WW2 Japanese occupation, their own parents and how they managed their lives during these time, how they met, why they left Malaysia during difficult political unrest to go to Singapore, and eventually Australia where they built their own home and created new lives yet again.
I have been reminded how important it is to retain these stories that form our heritage, that provide us with a sense of who we are, a sense of home and a place to be. We need to remember to take the ask our elders to share their stories. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Comments

  1. SummersStudio4 October 2010 at 13:53

    So true! I think especially in Australia which is a huge 'melting pot' but has managed to maintain the cultural heritage of many of those who've settled there. You've great opportunity to honour and preserve those stories. They are important. One of the things I miss most about living in Australia is that diversity.

    ReplyDelete
  2. mizu designs4 October 2010 at 16:50

    Yes indeed. I think we forget to collect these stories from our elders when we see them all the time. My dad is good at whipping out an ancient photo or 2 and telling me a good yarn about relies long gone.

    ReplyDelete
  3. sasha + max studio4 October 2010 at 17:53

    interesting isn't it - my side of the family are not sharers of tales past - I think of all the stories that I might have been told by now long passed grandparents... I think it's great that my husband's family can share with us and the 3 nieces.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mandalika10 October 2010 at 10:52

    It is so important to keep family stories going, especially such important ones as you in-laws have shared.

    I adore the birdhouse necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karyn 10 October 2010 at 11:07

    This is gorgeous...and I love that song too and will probably be singing it all day now... such a cute song!

    I love the black beads... are they resin?

    Karyn

    ReplyDelete
  6. sasha + max studio10 October 2010 at 21:17

    Thanks so much for your kind comments. Karyn - the beads are dark wood rondelles

    ReplyDelete

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