This is why I do this:
THE STORY TELLERS
We are the chosen. My feelings are, in each family, there is one who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve. To me, doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead, breathing life into all those who have gone before. We are the storytellers of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have been called, as it were, by our genes. Those who have gone before cry out to us: Tell our story.
The Recording of a Cemetery...by Thelma Reagan
Today we walked where others walked
On a lonely, windswept hill;
Today we talked where others cried
For Loved Ones whose lives are stilled.
Today our hearts were touched
By graves of tiny babies; Snatched from the arms of loving kin, In the heartbreak of the ages.
Today we saw where the grandparents lay
in the last sleep of their time; Lying under the trees and clouds -Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.
Today we wondered about an unmarked spot;
Who lies beneath this hollowed ground?
Was it a babe, child, young or old?
No indication could be found.
Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay.
We had been here once before on a day we'd all like to forget, But will remember forever more.
Today we recorded for kith and kin
The graves of ancestors past;
To be preserved for generations hence, A record we hope will last.
Cherish it, my friend; preserve it, my friend, For stones sometimes crumble to dust
And generations of folks yet to come will be grateful for your trust.
Dear Ancestor ,
Your tombstone stands among the rest; In this field of green. The name and date are chiseled out For all the world to see. It reaches out to all who care It is too late to mourn. You did not know that I'd exist, You died long before I was born. Yet we are of one, you and I, in flesh, in blood, in bone. Our blood contracts and beats a pulse Entirely not our own. Dear Ancestor, the life you lived one hundred years ago spreads out among the ones you left who would have loved you so. I wonder if you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew that someday I would find this spot, And come to visit you.
Author Unknown
A million times I've needed you,a million times I've cried. If love alone could have saved you,you never would have died. If all the world were mine to give,I would give it, yes and more, to see you coming up the steps,and walking through the door. To hear your voice, to see you smile, to sit and talk with you as before. But the voice is mute and still the heart that loved me well and true. Bitter was the trial to part with one so fine as you. To be with you the same old way, would be my fondest day. You are not forgotten Love, nor will you ever be, as long as life and memory last, I will remember thee. It broke my heart to lose you, but you did not go alone, for part of me went with you, the day God called you home.
Written by: Donmoon It is in my opinion that there are two days every week that we should not be concerned about. These two days should be held in reserve liberated from distress, fear and apprehension. The first of these days is yesterday, containing "could of's" and "should of's", the faults, err of judgments aches and pains and words said that can never be taken back. Truly, yesterday has passed forever. Not even Bill Gates can buy back a single yesterday. There is nothing we can do to undo or erase any of those acts or words we said or received that were painful to us or to others.We can't un-digest the bad food we ate or go back and exercise when we just didn't feel like it... Yesterday is gone! The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds. But it will rise. Until it does we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn. Sure, we can exercise, eat well and log it all today. Don’t suffer through today wondering will that be good enough for tomorrow. It is what it is. If you have been eating healthy and your calorie intake is close...I’d say you just had a wonderful day... Which leaves us with only one day...Today! Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is when you and I add the burdens of two awful eternities - yesterday and tomorrow, that we break down. It is not necessarily the experience of today that disturbs one's peace of mind. It is oftentimes the bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring. Ease up on yourself. My gift to you is...Today...Live today, enjoy today...this is... YOUR DAY
There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go. ~Author Unknown
You're site looks wonderful! Joined right on up! I was considering doing a family website before our family reunion and you've inspired me!
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