I'm a Survivor ♪

We went to see Jay perform in the 1st grade musical tonight.
This year's theme was the cultures of the world (...I think), and they musically explored cultures through different animals that live in different parts of the world.

They opened the performance with It's a Small World, and it just filled me with this incredible joy to see all those children singing such a powerful message.

Students were instructed to dress in their own ethnic attire that reflected their heritage. This is always a tricky one for a multi-cultural family like ours because it does not feel quite right to me to ignore the other side and have Jay only display his Japanese heritage. We thought about having him wear his kimono with the viking hat, but we decided it's best to go with the most dominant trait when you are a mutt.

It's hard to see in this picture, but it was truly incredible to see all those heritage being displayed on the stage. We saw a Japanese kimono (of course!), a Korean Hanbok, Mexican dresses and Sombreros. We saw Indian Saris, a Swedish Dirndl, and an African Kanga. We also saw lots of cowboy hats, some Uncle Sam's hats, and even a full-on Harley Davidson outfit!

It was an emotionally overwhelming site for someone like me, who grew up in such a mono-ethnic culture. I have always been fascinated with other cultures of the world ever since I was little, and to witness the wonderful diversity my children are afforded to experience first hand (in the middle of Texas, may I add!) was just incredible.

As I watched the children sing pharases in many languages that I have never heard before, I could not help but to remember some of the harder time I've experienced in this country. And all of a sudden, it became clear to me that this is why I stuck with it and did not run home when I so wanted to. I am a survivor, and my children are the proof.