Taking time to remember our ancestors is not something we do for them, it is for ourselves.
Our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents all had lives that were lived in very different times, yet their experience, their stories, their lineage all add to the fabric of our own existence.
Did they come from overseas? Did they lose their families in the war? Were they successful or did they work long and hard for not much recognition?
Their DNA is in our bodies. Their names live on in our hearts. Their trauma, their joy and their accomplishments all contributed to who we have become.
By remembering them, reflecting on what they endured and what they celebrated it gives us a stronger foundation upon which to build. We stand on their shoulders and we see greater heights because of what they did. Even the things that they thought were insignificant may have played a big role in shaping who we eventually grew into.
So let’s take some time to remember them, to honor them, and recognize how even if we never met them in person, they have influenced our lives in ways beyond our imagination. Let’s all learn to be a little more grateful for those who came before us.
