Before my son questioned why I don’t make one for our family, I wasn’t bothered by this. I initially questioned why that would be significant, but after some reflection, the importance became clear. My kids must understand their ancestors’ roles in shaping the world they live in today. It implied throwing myself into the past, and ever since that day, it has repeatedly surfaced.
The task seems daunting when I consider my fairly lengthy life. When we were young, our large family included their siblings, cousins, and other relatives as well as my grandparents, who are now their great-grandparents. Many of our aunts and uncles visited us while others showed up unannounced but were always welcomed.
However, the details of who they are and their place in the family tree have long since been forgotten. Now, putting it all together will require a lot of work. I probably should have done this when more of them were still alive years ago. The current question is whether it’s already too late and how significant it is to my kids.
The family album and the people who were primarily present during my formative years are good places to start. A family history review was recently conducted by my eldest daughter on ancestry.com. When it is fresh in my mind, the task does not seem too difficult, but if I abandon it now, who will be able to complete it after me?
They need to be aware of their identities and origins, as my son pointed out. In light of that, it is crucial.