Dare I say both? As I ponder about the past and my future, I seem to keep my feet planted somewhere in the middle. My thoughts play a gentle tug of war between yesterday and tomorrow.
As a storyteller and the keeper of family tales and adventures, I dig deep into the past. As I research, I lose myself in my ancestors’ stories. When their lives unfold, I marvel at their strength and persistence. This family line knows courage, overcoming obstacles that most could not even comprehend. The men and women in this family traveled to the New World and cleared a path in the wilderness. While many historical narratives often begin and end with men, I found remarkable women who blazoned their own trails and left a legacy of bold courage and undeniable tenacity. My grandmothers, my aunts, and my damsel cousins marched to their own beat. These spirited women unleashed the bounds that kept them tethered to a world where women lost their voices and freedoms. Often, I chuckle, as I discover their grit and their spunk. But it shouldn’t really surprise me, for, after all, the current female members carry that same DNA mettle. The women in this family lead with courage, compassion, and strength, and I am proud of my heritage.
As for tomorrow, I ponder all the new opportunities that await. As retirement closely looms, I wonder about my future. Will I ever finish my novel? Will I sub or teach humanities or creative writing at the community college? Will I explore the wonders of my home state? All those places I keep meaning “to get to one day.” I must admit it is exciting to know that some of the best days of my life are quietly waiting to unfold.
Well, for now, today’s demands harken. The laundry needs my attention and the bills need to be paid. And best of all the pups need some attention.
Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash
Tales of a Family 