Grandma's Pearls of Wisdom

 https://granny7xsthought.blogspot.com/

                                 I first found this poem in the Southern Living Magazine in November 2017.                                                     It fits perfectly with the stories of my grandmothers. 

Grandma's Pearls of Wisdom

by Becky Netherland 

 

I've traveled paths you've yet to walk,

Learned lessons old and new,

And now this wisdom of my life,

I'm blessed to share with you.

 

Let kindness spread like sunshine,

Embrace those who are sad.

Respect their dignity, give them joy

and leave them feeling glad.

 

Forgive those who might hurt you

And though you have your pride,

Listen closely to their viewpoint

Try to see the other side.

 

Walk softly when you're angry,

Try not to take offense,

Invoke your sense of humor,

Laughter's power is immense.

 

Express what you are feeling,

Your beliefs you should uphold.

Don't shy away from what is right,

Be courageous and be bold.

 

Keep hope right in your pocket,

It will guide you day by day.

Take it out when it is needed,

When it's near, you'll find a way.

 

Remember friends and family

Of which you are a precious part.

Love deeply and love truly,

Give freely from your heart.

 

The world is far from perfect.

There's conflict and there's strife,

but you still can make a difference

By how you live your life.

 

And so I'm very blessed to know

The wonders you will do

Because you are my granddaughter

And I believe in you.

Welcome To My Blog!

My purpose is to share my family heritage. I’ve been digging up my roots for nearly 30 years. Some of my long-time sources are vanishing from the internet. Ancestry seems to be swallowing up the valuable research of the contacts that I have made. In some small way, I hope to preserve the research that I have done. This is my personalized stamp, so to speak. It will take time to share all of my information which is why I have postponed this blog. I have tried to substantiate my research with sources, but I’m sure that I have made mistakes along the way. I would welcome any suggestions that could lead us all in the right direction. The family histories to be included will be the Quillin family tree, the Ewing family tree, the Jones family tree, the McNair family tree, the Bridges family tree, the King family tree and the Hulsey family tree. Some of the roots go even deeper, but it also becomes harder to substantiate that information. I will begin with the stories that I know first-hand. So… let’s pick up those shovels and begin digging.

 

 

Family Connections

 Paper Chain Of People Photograph by Ktsdesign - Pixels

What is our purpose? What will be our legacy? We are only a pin prick in the universe. Will anyone know your name in a hundred years? Ten years? Genealogy is about telling our ancestor’s stories because these stories give our soul direction, a base from where we make decisions. By recording their stories, we leave behind our legacy. In making others significant, we are significant. My purpose is to leave behind some of their stories. 

When we go back in time, we realize that no one lives a life in vain. Everyone has a purpose. I am fascinated with the stories of my ancestors and their legacies, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Learning about them and finding my family connection is far more interesting than perusing Facebook to see the glamor shots that people create for themselves. It is within our family roots that we discover who we are. Family connections are one of the most important things in life. I’ve always been fascinated with the thought that I am who I am because of those who have gone before me. I'm here because of their sacrifices, and it is here that I hope to give meaning to their lives. 

On this journey of researching my heritage, I realize how my ancestor's lives were intertwined with the history of this great nation. I feel my strong American ties, and for the most part, I'm a true southern girl. It will be an honor and a privilege to share their stories. It is from these stories that I build my own existence. I will try to do them justice in telling their stories. My mother often said, “Things don’t happen in a vacuum.” She was right. With everything that happens, there is a ripple effect. 

Do we make mistakes in family research? Sure, we do, so I will never claim that what lies among my research is the final truth. I’ve done a lot of digging, striving to prove that what I’ve pieced together is true, but over time, I have realized that some of the puzzle pieces remain to be found.

As all genealogists, I realize that most people are not interested in their very own deep family connections. I'm a bit baffled by that, but there will be someone somewhere along the way that will pick up the banner and carry it forward.  It is for those folks that I find it imperative to leave behind these stories. Hopefully, it will serve a purpose in not only preserving history, but also our family connections.