Hiraeth

As I listened this morning to the May 31, 2011 BYU Devotional Speech of Lynn Williams some thoughts came to mind that we will want to remember at Esperanza. Williams is a native Welshman who moved to the U.S. in 2000. Therefore, he has been in the U.S. 11 years, and he said that he is still continually experiencing cultural shock. In spite of the fact that his native country and the U.S. have a common language--English--there are many differences that he is still learning. Williams said that watching the many American programs on British television didn't prepare him for what he experienced when he actually came to live in the U.S.

It is important for us to remember that many of our Esperanza Hispanic families may experience the same kind of cultural shock that Williams is experiencing and maybe even to a greater degree because of a language barrier. We can't assume that because they have lived here a certain number of years that the cultural shock has disappeared.

Even as our Hispanic families become more and more comfortable with life in the U.S. they may still experience as Williams explains "hiraeth," a Welsh word meaning to yearn to find yourself once again in your own land and among your own people; to be with those who think and behave just like you, to feel completely at ease in their company because of your shared heritage. Therefore, we must not be offended when our Hispanic families and/or scholars seek for opportunities to be with other Hispanics and assume they want to shut us out and/or don't want to be part of this country. It is important to respect this longing and yearning they have.