My great great grandfather came to the United States from
Denmark. He was a wealthy dairyman who sold his possessions to emigrate. The
story is told of his generosity in helping others come to this country who
couldn't afford the passage.
My great grandmother married and settled in a small town in
rural Idaho. She became a midwife and helped mothers all over the county give
birth.
My grandmother was widowed at a young age. She found employment
as a social worker even before such government agencies became well
established.
My mother was also widowed when I was a small child. She
went back to school, earned a PhD, and taught at a university, helping many of
her students find a better life and launch their own careers.
After our children were all in school, I became licensed
as Marriage and Family Therapist, establishing
a large practice in Las Vegas. I worked with families of all shapes and sizes.
Each of our children has followed a different career path: a
math teacher, a baker, a kindergarten teacher, a librarian, a salesman, and an
artist.
But all their paths contain the gift of service to others.
This way was firmly established for all of us by our great great grandfather,
and has come down through the ages as a mantra for all of us because of our family stories.
What are your family stories?
Talk about the strengths, the struggles, and the triumphs you and your family have experienced. Stories
are your path to wholeness. If you see your stories as tales
of failure, look more closely and find the courage and hidden valor of your
ancestors. They are there.
Happy story telling!
Here's a link to the entire New York Times article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0