My latest Genealogy discovery

A thought about genealogy. Dear H and I were talking about our ancestors and the cool facts that we have found and the ones that we might like to find. The truth is, we all set out hoping to find out more about those who came before us in the hopes of figuring out more about who we are. I guess part of us hopes to find writers, activists or great leaders because we want to know that somewhere in our past someone did something that gives us a sense of pride for something that can be easily understood by outsiders. Something that we can mention as a way to make ourselves feel more special. We hope that is makes us more interesting somehow.

But the truth is: I have never founded a city or lead troops in battle. I was not around when bras were being burned and I have never committed an act of protest - unless you count one little march and a history of jaywalking. I am of "ordinary" stock. After reaching that "aha" moment earlier this evening, I made a mental vow. I will not expect my ancestors to be any more or less interesting than I would want my descendants to expect me to be. That is to say, I will consider every single one of them to be extraordinary.