My+Cultural+Bag-Katherine+V

My Cultural Bag By: Katherine VB LA 3-4

There are so many things that are important to me in my life. But, the six items that I chose to be in my cultural bag are the most important to me. The first item is my diamond flower necklace that illuminates the moon. My beloved mom and dad gave it to me. The second thing is the classical Christmas Tree Tradition that we do the day after Thanksgiving. The third is my cross necklace that symbolizes faith. The forth item is the old-fashioned teddy bear passed down from my grandmother. Another thing is my family’s tradition to go down and see my Aunt Fellis after church for brunch. Lastly, the famous Dagwood sandwich that my family makes after Thanksgiving.

My wonderful mom and dad gave my exquisite diamond jeweled flower necklace. The reason they gave it to me was because I was going to be a gorgeous flower girl at my sister, Julia’s cowboy wedding. When my mom and dad handed me a black box that had my name engraved at the top, I opened it and inside was a gleaming flower necklace wrapped in black silk. It would appeal to any girl. The necklace symbolizes to be strong in the things I do and to never give up, because someday it will all pay off. The elegant necklace sparkled in the moonlight and the chain was pure silver that lit up my face. On the chain were little tiny crystals that tied the whole thing together.

The whole family has a classic tradition that we do the day after Thanksgiving. My dad’s side came up with it and has been passed down for years. Ever since I was a little girl, my dad would rally up the troops, and we would all cram into my mom’s black, twelve year old Acura. When we were on the black, icy rode all you could see were pitch-black buildings camouflaged in snow as white as the clouds. My six feet tall big brother would crank up some music and we would start to play the quixotic game, big Buddha. The object of the game is to get the person who is the big Buddha. You either say number one to number two for example and then they can either call out a different number depending on how many people are playing, or they say big Buddha to try at catch him off beat. It’s a rhythm game that can go on for a copious amount of time. When we arrived at the Christmas tree store, without even getting out of the car, you could smell the sweet pine needles seeping threw the windows along with the savory apple cider inside the store calling my name. When I crunched the cold gravel below my feet, and I saw Pine Trees from all different shapes and sizes. But, my mom is a huge fan of immensely high ceilings; we always got at least a 13-foot tree. The people know the VanBenthuysen family by name, and they always have two particular trees saved just for us. Later, when my dad decided on the consummately, perfectly trimmed tree, we drove off in the bleak winter night. Afterwards, when everybody arrived at the house, the buff, robust men would carry the tree into the house. My grandma always stayed home, so when you walked inside, the house was overflowed with the smell of homemade chili right of the stove. When everybody sat down, we would decorate the tree till midnight and watch the movie Home Alone.

My mom and dad handed down the gorgeous silver cross to me. My parents are strong believers in Christ and have always wanted their children to be. The silver cross shimmers every time the light hits it. It sparkles when it is worn with pride. It symbolizes Faith and to think about others, not yourself. Whenever I look at it, my heart feels like it’s been lifted up in a sigh of relief. Also, whenever it reflects of the sun, I know that somebody is looking down on my family and I.

My dear mom handed down the furry Steiff Teddy Bear to me. It all started out when my great grandmother bought it at an old-fashioned toy store in Tipton, Oklahoma. The reason she bought it was because she wanted it to be passed down from generation to generation. The Steiff Teddy Bear has a woven hat, made from and oak tree. Perched on top is a lustrous yellow sunflower that is the cherry on top. Its fur is as golden as the sunset and is wearing a plaid purple dress that was handmade. My parents told me it was a one of a kind, and I know to keep it forever to pass down someday. It symbolizes my grandparents because whenever I look at it, my mind searches, thinking of them and how gleeful they were.

Another family tradition that we always used to do every Sunday was go and see my great Aunt Fellis.