4. Write a blog post inspired by the word: liar.
I’m a liar and I hate the homework assignments my kids give me. I hate them because they make me a liar. This weekend Kainoa had a Cultural Artifact project to complete and in order to do that, he needed a family artifact. Something that represents our culture, something special that may have been passed down to us, a type of family heirloom…you know. The family artifact!
We don’t have a family artifact. My kids are a lovely combination of beautiful Hawaiian/Philippino heritage (Pat’s side) and Basic White Bitch (my side). You would think, especially with Hawaii in the mix, we might have some sort of special puka shells in the house passed down from previous generations but it’s just not the case. We have nothing of value here.
And yet the assignment needed to be completed. I was racking my brain, “well I picked up a tiki statue souvenir at the thrift store the other day. Can that be our family artifact? It represents Hawaii, strength and power!”
But then Pat was like, “what about your Grandma’s painting?” And then I remembered I did take a painting that was on it’s way to Goodwill when Grandpa was sick, but because I am design impaired and my home is bare, it has been in a closet somewhere for the past two years or so.
“Pat, I can’t even remember what’s on the painting. How do we call it our “Family Artifact?”
“Because. It was passed down.”
“It wasn’t passed down so much as I just took it to save it from Goodwill.”
And Kainoa was all, “Perfect! Great-Grandma’s painting is our artifact!”
We spent the next 20 minutes searching for the artifact. I could have sworn it was in my closet, but when it did not turn up I found myself searching every closet. I discovered it behind some old Ikea artwork in Kainoa’s closet, “I FOUND THE ARTIFACT!” I pulled out the giant gold-framed majestic piece of art and felt a pang of guilt for not hanging it somewhere. It was the first time Kainoa had ever seen it. Not exactly the precious family cultural icon piece his homework was asking for, but it would do.
We drug it downstairs and he got busy filling in his worksheet, “how does it represent our culture and what culture trait does it represent?”
I sat there studying my grandma’s cherry blossom tree and her mountain and creek and I was like, “Well I suppose…it…represents…freedom for our…culture?”
And Kainoa was like “Freedom!?! I can see maybe if she had painted a little American flag top of that mountain…” and I was like “JUST WRITE IT!”
The next question, “Describe the history of the artifact…how did it come into our possession?”
“Well,” I said, “Your Great Grandma painted it and then…it was passed down to me and someday it will be passed down to you!”
Kainoa was all, “Can I hang it in my room right now because I don’t have any decorations!”
And just like that, a majestic family heirloom was born.
In her wildest dreams would Grandma ever have imagined this painting would become one of her 20+ grandchildren’s personal family artifacts and presented on in the class of one of her umpteen great-grandchildren? Sixth graders all over town will see this painting and they will think about their freedom all thanks to Great-Grandma!
If she had known how it would have all panned out, I wonder if she would have added that American flag to the top of the mountain.
John Holton says
Way to improvise! Maybe Kainoa can add the American flag, at his leisure, of course…
By the way, the new kittens are so cute! They look part-Siamese, Mary’s favorite breed.
Mama Kat says
Kainoa would be more than happy to add his own touch to that painting! ;) And yes, I’m fostering two little Siamese kittens and I DON’T KNOW WHY I DO THIS TO MYSELF!!! I’m sending them to Mary immediately.
Abby says
Don’t you “love” these homework assignments? Several years ago, my nephew had a similar assignment regarding members of the family tree. He called my dad for information, and was told to “just make something up, who’s gonna know?”. Nice teaching moment, Dad.
However, Grandma’s painting is lovely. Nice pass for a family artifact!
Mama Kat says
My sister just made up a story of how my grandparents met for a project like that and when it was my turn to do the project I used what she had created. And so on and so forth with my little brother and sister. We didn’t realize the whole story was just made up until she told us years later! lol
Kim says
That’s a gorgeous painting, and I’m glad y’all have it now. I can’t believe it was headed to the Goodwill!
You’d think with a much vintage stuff as I collect and family things I have, that I would have a put-together home that would lend itself well to a homework assignment such as this one. But the only thing on my walls is a majestic white tiger my oldest son painted in art class. I don’t even have family photos up, which is shameful. And I just acquired a photo of my own great grandmother in a gorgeous frame. I keep saying I”m going to put everything up after I get my home painted, but I’ve been saying that for years.
Mama Kat says
You really could create the coolest vintage nooks! Just don’t ask me how because I can’t put anything like that together. ;) I finally printed and hung some of my favorite instagram pics a couple of years ago, but the kids have been complaining for a while now that they’re outdated and I still haven’t fixed them. I need just an ounce of motivation for house project like that!
Liz Burgess says
What a lovely painting! It’s wonderful to appreciate the talents of family, past and present. I’m blessed to have a lot of creativity in my family…I didn’t get the art gene…but I like to share the work of family with others. I’m happy that the homework project brought you to this piece. Yes, those homework projects are great, aren’t they? Thanks for your kind words on my “heartmelt” piece!
Mama Kat says
I love homemade art too! The art gene skipped me, but I have hopes that one of my kids might have inherited Grandma’s talent. Maile is beautifully artistic but doesn’t always have time to create. We’ll see what the future holds!
Paula Kiger says
You’re design impaired? I never would have known but SO. AM. I. So am I, friend. Waiting for *that* prompt!
Mama Kat says
Oh I am so design impaired. I can’t make any decisions about what should go where so I do NOTHING. I have a few things hanging up and all of them have been at the hands of my sisters or children who insist on helping. I wish I could just walk into a room and have the motivation and talent to spruce it up. lol