Tenita Woolridge

Period 3rd
3.24.2019
Reflect on what our readings and discussions have taught you about 
how to chart your own course. Especially consider your personal 
history: ​What will you hold on to and what will you let go of? 
 
One thing I will hold on too is pearl earrings. The reason I will always hold on to 
pearl earrings is because my great grandma always wore pearls. She wore them 
because they meant something to her. Every since she wore pearl earrings my 
family made it a tradition to pass out pearl earrings to the women of the family 
every family reunion we have. Holding on to the pearls is me holding on to a 
relative that passed away and it helps me remember who my great grandma was. I 
want to connect this back to a poem I read called El Olvido. It stated don't forget 
the names of your dead relatives and this is a good connection for me because the 
pearls will help me to not forget about my dead relative and what symbolizes her. 
 
One thing I would let go is toxic relationships. I will let a toxic relationship go 
because it can make you miserable personally. It can affect you mentally and 
physically. Holding on to a toxic relationship with someone is like holding on to a 
negative vibe for a long time and as long as you hold on to a negative vibe, you 
become worse as a person and you become more unhappy with yourself and your 
surroundings. 
 
In conclusion, there are more important things to hold on to because little 
things/items helps you to remember who you are and where you come from. 
Small things like me talking about my great grandmother's pearl earrings is more 
important than settling for relationships/friendships I don’t need to hold on too. 
Small things and small phrases can be passed down generation to generation and 
it can become a tradition with the family. That's why I would personally hold on to 
something that shows remembrance of something because it helps you find 
yourself if you began to lose yourself.