Assertion Journal

This assertion journal is a response to Saying Thanks to My Ghosts by Amy Tan.


Amy Tan begins her childhood with a simple, yet important event in her early childhood. She, like many young children, did not want to get ready to bed, so she made up a fib to her mother. She said that there were ghosts in her bedroom, which scared so much that she wasn’t able to get ready for bed. This gave her mother the idea that her daughter was a spiritual medium and could possibly talk to her grandmother, who had died from an opium overdose. This simple childhood event set the stage for her entire life, which was filled with stories of her mother trying to connect with her ancestors through her so-called spiritual powers.
Amy says that her experiences with ghosts have inspired her to write many influential novels, and ironically enough, she actually thanks the ghosts that, so long ago, scared her. I believe that everyone should be able to thank their ghosts, in any way, shape, or form. The ghosts of our lives have made it possible for us to succeed in many things that, we would have otherwise failed at. Your ancestors have given you the genes to fulfill your most important goals and solve some of your toughest issues. If you don’t believe in thanking your ghosts you are denying who and what you are.


Essay from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103412215