Matt Johnson
After viewing the “Ofrendas for the Future” event the biggest message I took away was the importance of honoring your ancestors through reflection. During the event Ofelia Esparza said “All of us have ancestors, we have to reach out to them because it’s not normally a part of our traditions.” I personally reflected on this and thought about my own ancestors that emigrated from Sweden in the early 90s. My ancestors settled in Port Angeles and took up farming as a way of life, and my dad has shared with me many of the traditions from his childhood growing up on that farm. He has instilled in me a sense of strong work ethic, loyalty, and helpfulness. Hearing Ofelia Esparza mention reaching out to our ancestors, it made me think about being more intentional about reflecting on my ancestor’s culture. Rosanna Esparza also said “People need to know they’re not far from healing. It’s right there, they need to crack it open. Give yourself permission to acknowledge the ancestral power of healing.” This quote allowed me to see the connection between ancestral reflection and positive healing energy. Reflecting and acknowledging your ancestors allows those from your past to help you heal. This idea connects to the message echoed by many people at the event of the importance of finding a spiritual place to pray. If one can find a place where they can feel their ancestors around them, they can use that strength to better heal themselves. I gained a new perspective on the power of ancestry from this event, and I’m excited to implement that perspective in my life.
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