{Oops! I guess first I need to explain my absence. Actually, I have no REAL excuse. I've been busy with life and with homeschooling. I call it the end of the school year "push". It's a time of assessing, reassessing, planning (for the next school year and summer activities), and planning for rest...I say all of that with a siiiigh! So...I'm sorry I've been gone for a bit. But, now back to blogging.}
The Family Love title, is me highlighting my interesting and wonderful family of past and present.
As I have shared in the past, my sister and I decided to research our family history about 2 years ago. This sounded like work, but fun too. We have learned a lot of information on both sides of our tree. But recently I decided to veer over to my Mother's Mother's family. I thought this would be a cinch. Well, who knew Oklahoma & Tennessee would be tricky?
I finally called the small town of Prague, Oklahoma to find a very helpful city official who turned me to the town historian, at the town museum, Diana. Diana was AMAZING!!! One little email and I had a stack of newsper clippings. I was thrilled with all the information she found. Sometimes names, birth, and death dates aren't enough.
Who were these late 1880's pioneer family members, moving from Dekalb county Tennessee to Prague, Oklahoma?
Adventurers? Risk takers? To me they were. They were amazingly brave!
We're they in hope of a better life? A new beginning? Entrepreneurs wanting to move to a new town while it is still "new", to get in on the ground level of business building, and then make it big?
Whatever the reason, I may never know; but finding out that my 2nd great grandmother Phillips was a suffragette and died smiling saying, "I am so happy", was more than I ever expected.
Why is family history so important to some and no big deal to others?
I think the answer lies deeper than we think. I believe for some people it's the connection to family they've never had, even if these family members are dead. Or, it's closure to unanswered questions. Maybe it's just our natural human curiosity. Why else do tabloids sell so well. Other peoples business is always interesting; especially when it's our own family business.
For me, it's a few of those things. I feel you can't have a future without knowing your past. How can I appreciate my life without truly understanding my ancestors struggles and triumphs? After all, that's how I am here in the first place, Right?
Also, if there are stories unheard, how neat to get a glimpse into who they were. Even if it is through the eyes of a loved one in an obituary. I love finding obituaries with mini stories and words of love, that describe in a quick summary, who my family member was. Most importantly, sharing how they lived, loved & died.
Family past and present are very important to me. So it was only fitting that my Anniversary month is also the same month I found more Phillips family background.
This was my anniversary surprise from Preston and Landen my 10 & 12 year old sons. The menu was the best part! They are my world, and I want them to know as much about their roots as possible.
Anniversaries, birthdays and family reunions come and go. They may seem unimportant or everyday "no big deal" to us, but someday...someone may care. I hope I capture, record, and share as much as I can so future generations know I cared too!
Family comes in many shapes, sizes, colors and personalities. Whatever your family is, make it known you care, and most importantly share, share, share!
Happy Sharing~
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