Knowing Who Your People Are

Cooter and I were out and about on Tuesday afternoon, just the two of us.  It’s a rare occurrence that we’re alone together, and when it happens, he is full of stories and questions and thoughts to share.

Full.

I was driving from one place to another, and that precious voice I will never tire of (though he tests that sometimes) piped up from the very back of the vehicle.

“Mama, what are ancestors?”

“Folks who lived before us, whom we’re related to. Like grandparents and their grandparents…..and so on.”

“Folks who lived a long time ago?”

“Sure buddy, and not so long ago too.”

“Mama, is George Washington our ancestor?”

Oh bless him.

“No, bud, I’m sorry.  I don’t think he’s on our family tree.”

“What about Abraham Lincoln?”

“Nope, not that I know of.  Sorry again.”

He thought for a minute.

Then with a voice full of hope and awe, he asked, “Mama, what about George Lucas?”

Ah, he’s pulling out ALL of his heroes now.

After telling him I didn’t think George Lucas or Mark Hamill or no–sorry buddy–not Harrison Ford either were on our family tree, his interest waned like the sunlight across the sky.  As it grew darker and the street lights came on, he moved on to another topic–a battle story about the time that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln had troops fighting each other.

And I think light sabers were involved.

I love my little guy, and I love that he’s already thinking about the folks from our past–where he comes from.  Knowing who your people are and where you come from helps you understand why certain parts of your story are so important.  Like why education is of the utmost importance as is truth-telling and taking care of others.  Especially in this family.

I’m also happy about his choice of heroes.  Even the whole George Lucas thing.  I get it.  You don’t get much cooler than the guy who created a whole storyline that reads like a history book and is apparently way more interesting.

Tonight I’m thankful for him remembering that there are folks who came before us, because one day it will be his job to tell his children and grandchildren about all of us who were here before them.  What we believed, what we laughed about, how we loved, and what we stood firm about…..and our hopes and dreams for the future.  It seems to me that a lot of mighty good things came from our ancestors who had hopes and dreams.  Like a new country and freedom for all, to name a couple.  Oh yeah, and “Luke, I am your father.”  That was pretty awesome too.

Wishing you all a moment to remember and honor those whose dreams and hopes you are standing on right now.

Love to all.