It is actually perfect that our autoethnography projects are finishing up around Thanksgiving. As I was thinking about what to write this blog post on, I began to think about Thanksgiving and time spent with family. Family is a large factor that contributes to shaping the identity of each individual. That is one of the main themes of my autoethnographic project in all honesty: the power parents have to shape children. I don’t know about you, but when I think of who I am and how I came to be the person I am, I immediately think of my family and my childhood.
Thanksgiving is a time dedicated to feasting and community with family and friends. This holiday is one I typically spend at my aunt and uncle’s house with my grandparents and all of the family from my mom’s side. This year, my dad’s parents will also be joining us. My favorite memories of Thanksgiving are ones where we are eating sweet potato casserole and strawberry pretzel salad, then laying around watching movies and football. My family is really close and for that I am extremely thankful. I have felt so much love and support my entire life from not only my parents, but my aunts and uncles as well.
My familial experiences have helped me understand compassion and empathy. I have experienced selfless love and am now able to show that to others because it was first modelled for me. In addition, my family helped give me a positive outlook on life as well as a good work ethic. My parents are big believers in working for everything you have. They have both worked extremely hard in school, as well as at their jobs, in order to provide a comfortable life for our family. My parents do not work “glamorous” jobs, but they are good at what they do, and they put more effort in than most. While my family is not the only factor that influences me, they are one of the most profound and these are just a few examples of how they have impacted my identity.
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