I'm nowhere near Italian. However, I have learned to take much pride in my family name. My favorite phrase used to be, "I'm a Harg----", which was my way of saying my last name held weight- if only by my families admission. Whatever the case, my grandfather drove me to the airport yesterday and he said something that lit a fuse within me. He said:
"The honor of a family is born by the woman... literally and symbolically.
The men defend and protect it."
He's good with his, right? :)
Seriously though, that statement was so simple but held so much truth. A family is dependent upon its' women for two reasons. The family name can not be extended without her existence, and she is the person who lays down the morals and values in which the family stands on. The job of the man is to protect that family name, by any means. No matter how honorable of a man you think you are, a woman instilled those characteristics in you. Trust. Furthermore, I keep the cards people give me if they touch me in a personal way. My aunt, my grandfather's daughter, once wrote:
"Never be afraid to be different.
You come from a line of strong, smart, and beautiful black women,
and you fit in so well."
*3 generations: History in the making.
A Proud Woman,
B
i like this post...my name means just as much to me as yours does to you. for different reasons of course but i definitely heard that :)...this is what is hangin in my dads office and hopefully will be hanging in mine (talk about pressure lol)
ReplyDeleteYou got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live
If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son
mmph, I HEARD THAT! lol
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