It is no secret that I live in the South. And, although I have lived many places in my life I have always been proud to be a southerner. Most people who live in other areas of the country like to think of us as dumb and uneducated. Well, let me clear the air. Many of us are well educated and maybe not quite as dumb as some portray us. But, we do have a few “lingerings” from times long since past.
One is that each and every year we (not me, but the editorial “we”) re-enact Civil War battles at local battlegrounds. And, every year the same side wins. Maybe I’m just not that into the war thing, but many of the actors fight with sufficient fervor to change the outcome if it were not scripted.
But, to my thoughts for today. Last evening I attended an event that was rather interesting. After this post, I probably won’t be invited again, but —
So, we ate dinner and talked all kinds of small talk. I’m not particularly fond of small talk that takes on an air of importance, but I was polite. Anyway, the gentleman who was the host decided to show off his family tree after dinner. Well, when I was growing up our “family tree” was planted in the backyard. But, this gentleman had his drawn out on paper —- actually painted and framed on a wall. Now, I’m not about to make fun of anyone who traces his or her ancestry. I’m sure it is interesting. (Perhaps, I’m a little envious since I was adopted. Or, perhaps not.)
Anyway, the conversation was steered around to my ancestors. Well, who knows? And, there are advantages to not knowing. On doctors’ forms “N/A” answers all those family medical history questions.
This gentleman was just full of himself as he pointed out names of generals and other notables from the 1800′s and back. As I listened to the litany of names, I wondered when the man was going to pull out the laser pointer to better indicate his references. As he wrapped up the history lecture, I could tell that he was quite proud of his family’s history and his ancestors. That’s all well and good, I suppose.
That’s pretty much all the man had to say. That’s who he is — the descendant of names who may or may not have been important during their lives. I have no real way of knowing, but I am willing to take his word for it.
As I thought about the evening as I was driving home, I realized how very thankful I am that I don’t have to carry the burden of trying to live up to a name. I don’t have to mention as a part of my personal introduction that I am the great great grandchild of Col. Whatever.
The fact is that I am a child of the universe. I do not know my biological parents or even their names. I am thankful for my adoptive parents. And, the truth is that I am so very thankful that my life, at least to me, has more meaning and more purpose than carrying on the family name.
You see, this isn’t about my life or my importance. It’s really about the eight year old who was with me last night. She is adopted, too. She left the dinner feeling as if she is not important because she cannot trace her bloodlines back, person by person, to a queen or a king. But, perhaps, today she knows that she, too, is a child of the universe — as important as she wishes to become in the world. Our ancestors do not make us important or great. It really is what we do with our own lives that makes the difference. It is not where we came from but what we do while we are here. Today I am thankful I am a child of the universe — and I hope my little friend is thankful, too.
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