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Growing up as an identical twin, I always had shared experiences. But what about the shared experiences between me and my ancestors? Or between different cultures? I often think, just because I didn't personally go through the same events as my Baltic relatives, that doesn't mean we don't share experiences, or understanding that comes through our DNA. The things they held important and valued are things that I value, because I am a part of their lineage. When I look at my mother's baby shoes, I think of who she was as a tiny child. I think of how her mother thought about her, and how I experience being a mother. I think about the way cultures depict the ethereal things that are of value - things like strength, the cycles of nature, and the morning star. How do we as people in different cultures embed these meaningfully into our lives? One way is by decorating our clothes and every day items. The moccasins with the eight pointed star link me to a culture that I have no genetic connection with, but who chose to ornament their own shoes with the same symbol my ancestors used.
So in a way, we are all each other's twins; sharing the similarity of the human experience, with all of us putting it in some tangible form so we can relate to one another.
