I have been pondering how to write this blog post for several weeks. It is with great hope that the spirit of the post will speak to you.
I have blogged in the past about writing our ancestors stories to make them people and not just names. This time I want to focus on writing our personal stories, some think in terms of personal history, or journals. I am simply going to put it in terms that most of us cringe... write about yourself. You can tell why you did something or why you felt some way better than another will be able to interpret your motives, etc after you are gone.
So, today I am going to write a little about myself and some of the events and people that had a great influence on me; helping to make me who I am.
I had many events in my younger years that, when I reflected as an older person, I can see why I act the way I do.
When I was 3, my father lost his leg above the knee in a logging accident. I won't go into the story, but you can read it here on my blog. His attitude of not giving in to the circumstances and striving to be better, shaped my way of handling crisis situations and challenges in life.
When I reached 5, my mother and dad decided for my mother to go back to college. She had been waiting tables to assist with the cost of living because my dad was still recovering. She went away for a week at a time, working for an elderly lady to pay for her schooling and to cover her room and board. From this I took away doing what it cost to take care of your family. This helped me many years later when my husband had to work far from home for an extended length of time.
My father's mother came to live with us off and on while I was growing up.
Every day she read the bible and devotionals that someone gave her. She attended church when she could, because my mom was Methodist and she was Church of Christ, so my dad would just lay low for no conflict. I learned from her the value of having a spiritual side to your life for balance.
My mom's mom did not live with us, but she did visit. She had had arthritis all her life. She had 13 children, and raised 6 of them and 2 grandchildren alone after her husband died of cancer. She earned a living, sewed, and was a supporter of her church circles.
She had a sense of humor too. She became an ideal person to me of how to face life, if you're given lemons.
Both of my grandfathers had died before I was born. My grandmothers never remarried. They helped their children when and how they could. My life has been similar. My husband died at 62. I am content as a widow, neither of my grandmothers had complained, why should I. My time is spent serving my six children, 25 grandchildren, and the genealogy community at large.
Love of genealogy was not something that came from any influence of my family. However, the desire for stories and encouraging others to grab family stories came from dealing with my dad's family who was closed mouthed, and never spoke of family or their ancestors.
These are examples of a few of the people and moments that have influenced my life, and now you know more about me probably than my children.
I am writing my stories on FamilySearch Memories. After I am gone, they will be able to see my stories that I have written for them and my grandchildren (on FamilySearch only that attached to the deceased is visible.)
See you next month...
I have blogged in the past about writing our ancestors stories to make them people and not just names. This time I want to focus on writing our personal stories, some think in terms of personal history, or journals. I am simply going to put it in terms that most of us cringe... write about yourself. You can tell why you did something or why you felt some way better than another will be able to interpret your motives, etc after you are gone.
So, today I am going to write a little about myself and some of the events and people that had a great influence on me; helping to make me who I am.
I had many events in my younger years that, when I reflected as an older person, I can see why I act the way I do.
When I was 3, my father lost his leg above the knee in a logging accident. I won't go into the story, but you can read it here on my blog. His attitude of not giving in to the circumstances and striving to be better, shaped my way of handling crisis situations and challenges in life.
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| A picture of my mom and dad and I that was used in a State wide promotion of handicap people overcoming. |
My father's mother came to live with us off and on while I was growing up.
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| Lenorah Gildon Langley |
My mom's mom did not live with us, but she did visit. She had had arthritis all her life. She had 13 children, and raised 6 of them and 2 grandchildren alone after her husband died of cancer. She earned a living, sewed, and was a supporter of her church circles.
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| Matilda Roberts Whitson and Cecil Whitson grandson |
Both of my grandfathers had died before I was born. My grandmothers never remarried. They helped their children when and how they could. My life has been similar. My husband died at 62. I am content as a widow, neither of my grandmothers had complained, why should I. My time is spent serving my six children, 25 grandchildren, and the genealogy community at large.
Love of genealogy was not something that came from any influence of my family. However, the desire for stories and encouraging others to grab family stories came from dealing with my dad's family who was closed mouthed, and never spoke of family or their ancestors.
These are examples of a few of the people and moments that have influenced my life, and now you know more about me probably than my children.
I am writing my stories on FamilySearch Memories. After I am gone, they will be able to see my stories that I have written for them and my grandchildren (on FamilySearch only that attached to the deceased is visible.)
See you next month...
I agree. Writing about our own lives is so important. It's what we wish our ancestors had done!
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