the tapestry.

ever since i was a kid i was intrigued by family history. my grandfather had a huge scroll on the wall of his office which followed one of his lines from himself all the way back. i was fascinated by it. i just wanted to see the names--to see sir thomas whitney or king such and such. i guess i felt special by association or that i was a part of something so much bigger than myself. i was named after my grandfather, the grandfather with the scroll, and i remember my grandmother would always tell me that maybe, as his name sake, i was supposed to carry on the work.

during my first year of college i read the autobiography of my 3rd great-grandmother. as i read her words i felt connected to her. she wasn't just interesting anymore. she was a part of me. the life i was living was a result of the sacrifices she made. when i discovered we had similar gifts and talents, i felt a responsibility to use those gifts and talents wisely--in a way that would make her proud. this experience changed me. i felt a need to know where my ancestors came from, the trials they endured, why they made the decisions they made and truly understand their piece in the legacy left for me.

this is a feeling i believe everyone will experience at some point in their life. it's too important to not. that understanding of and love for our ancestors changes us. it brings clarity and corrects our perspective of the world around us. recently, i have found some of the sweetest joy in helping those around me have that experience. i know what that spirit feels like and to watch someone feel that spirit and watch their heart expand is so beautiful and precious to me.

i love helping people experience this. i, myself, am not an expert, but to share what i know and feel as though i have helped someone grow closer to their ancestors, the lord and even their family still living is a such a sweet blessing. i am so grateful for this little spark that was placed inside of me at such a young age. over the past two years, especially, my testimony of eternal families has grown tremendously. instead of just feeling gratitude for the legacy left for me, i am becoming more aware of the legacy i will leave behind. i imagine being handed a large, unfinished tapestry with rows and rows already woven into it. i am to weave a few rows and then pass it on, mistakes and all, to those who will come after me.

one of the main points of family history is to gather. you gather everything you have on your ancestors. you gather together your family on earth. and you share the stories you have gathered with your gathered family. through that process, we are all brought together. we learn from the past to help build the future. in order for us to weave our rows in the tapestry, we must see the rows woven before. we are bound together in that tapestry and what a beautiful tapestry it is!