Shaping Values

A value my mother has always instilled in me, as far as I can remember, is that you can always count on your family. Although I do believe some people choose their family and the bond is just as strong whether it be biological or not, my experiences have showed me that in my family, blood runs thicker than water. I've found this to be true in many different life experiences. Since I was born in Mexico, most of my family lives there, and I am accustomed to seeing them every 2-4 years. It never ceases to shock me the comfort and sense of home I feel around them. For reasons in the past, I hadn't seen my three oldest first cousins for about 16 years. When I finally got the opportunity to meet them and spend time with them, it was as though we had all been raised together. They took us out, offered us a car to take around the city, and my oldest cousin, a tax lawyer, a job, if we ever planned on moving back. This sense of immediate trust and familiarity isn't something I often see, be it on television, in my friends families, or even in books. Another experience that has helped shape this value is my mother's never-ending selflessness when it comes to her family. I am certain there is not a thing in this world she wouldn't do for her children, and almost nothing that she wouldn't do for her immediate family members.
In Cutting For Stone this same value of the importance of family appeared throughout the novel. However, the novel makes the case for both biological and nonbiological connections. The way in which Hema loves Shiva and Marion is unmatchable, it is evident in her every word to them, how her time dedicated to the boys and her actions toward being their mother are written. ShivaMarion's connection is an obvious one, even after years of being apart, unforgivable acts gone unspoken, and a life threatening risk, Shiva still gives his liver for Marion. Dr. Stone displays another example, despite his sons being perfect strangers, their operation is the hardest one he ever does, because of his connection to them. He risks his career and does the only thing for them he ever knew how to do.

I think the value of family is a really great one to have. Not only does family serve support system, but they provide a link to who you used to be, who you are, and who you'd like to become. It could be negative in that sometimes people are too selfless and trusting toward their family, only to be betrayed.

Weblog #3

The first third of Cutting For Stone focuses largely on the character of Hema. Hema is a strong, independent woman. She surpasses the constraints of the life she was born into, going to Ethiopia to practice medicine instead of staying in her home country. Although she walks into the middle of utter chaos, with Sister Mary Joseph quickly losing life. She makes the decision, over Dr. Stone's, to save the babies lives. I believe her decision was mostly motivated by her values as a doctor, the belief in saving a human life above everything. However, there are various religious references throughout the delivery. 

At first, Hema relies on her skills as a doctor to save the babies. Afterward, she relies on her God. She surrenders control and calls upon her God to save them. In fact, it seems as though as soon as she utters the word, "Shiva", the baby breathes. Her motivation lies in religion in that she leans on her deity to save the baby, even naming the baby Shiva. The shining light brings an almost godly element, filling the children with light and with life.

The idea of valuing a human life above all, whether religious or not, is a value I would definitely recommend to others. Hema's focus arises from the need to save lives, an appreciation of life, and a faith in her God to help her save lives.

Weblog #2: Orange juice soaked memories

I moved to the United States at a very young age, after being born in Mexico and having lived in Brazil for 8 months. When we moved for my dad's job to Marietta, Georgia, a woman we had met in Brazil came with us. Her name was Gloria, fondly known to all her loved ones as "Yu yu'". She was essentially a grandma to us, and easily one of the most special people I have ever known. I could think of a million stories from all the time I spent with her before she passed last year, but one story my mother always tells that seems to epitomize exactly the kind of person she was.


One afternoon that we were all visiting in Mexico, my mom took me, my little brother, and Yu yu' out for breakfast with an old friend. Mrs. Lucita, our family friend, was an older woman, very mild mannered and very sweet. It was her first time meeting Yu yu', and she had the unfortunate luck to be sitting directly in front of her at breakfast. (A place we would all learn was best to avoid). My mom decided to tell one of her classic jokes, making the whole table burst with laughter. Well Yu yu' had a signature laugh, the infectious, contagious laugh that you can't help but lose yourself to. Her laughter was animated, and with it came merriment, joy, and unfortunately for Mrs. Lucita, orange juice. The poor woman was bathed from across the table, from head to lap, in saliva and orange juice. While I personally don't remember this story, I can recall multiple times where I was on the receiving end of the table, and how much funnier it was to be a spectator than the one in need of a second shower.

1.  Did you add or leave out any parts of the original story?

I'm not sure if I left out any parts, but I took some freedoms in the details. I'm not sure if it was just my brother and I who went to breakfast, or if the rest of my family attended. I also don't quite remember if it was a joke that made her laugh, or just a silly part of the conversation.




2.  If so, what did you change and why?  If not, why did you feel it was important to preserve the story as it was told to you?
I didn't purposely change it, rather for story telling purposes. I feel that the rest of the story is very important to preserve, because it illustrates how even now that she's gone, she stays with us through our memories of her.

3.  How does your retelling compare to Sanjay's retelling of the Ramayana?
 I think Ramayana was re-told mostly to make the characters easier to relate to, and the entire story simpler to read and connect to. My story was a silly one to begin with, so the seriousness and pictures come with the story itself.