The things they've handed down........

This is my great grandmother and great grandfather:

I see alot of my grandmother and my aunt in this photo.  Even some of my father and brother.  My great grandmother died before I was born. I wonder what she was like and what I would have learned from her.  I love hearing all the stories about my ancestors and their pilgrimage to the United States.  I am second generation born here in the United States on my father's side.  I think about what my great grandmother must have felt coming to a strange country.  The language completely foregin to her.  Did she bring children with her?  Would I be as brave as she in the same circumstances?  Would she be proud of me if she met me now?  Somehow this picture makes me feel more connected to her as well as her hope chest that sits in my living room.  I cant help but think of her everytime I pass by it, wondering what contents she must have filled it with.

I hope my children will always enjoy stories about their ancestors.  I know there are parts of themselves they are not glad to have inherited.  But I do hope they know how lucky they are to have had such brave  people who came before them with the purpose of making better lives for themselves as well as their future generations.  That courage is something I hope they wear with pride and thankfulness.  I hope it is one of their most grateful blessings..........