At least for me.
It's something to do with my heritage.
I love old photos, those images of long ago people with stoic looks on their faces, hair that grew all their lives all curled or stacked up on their heads, dresses that were full of fancy laces and ruffles, hats that were stunning! Those faces and eyes held many stories, many loves, many pains.
And yet, they were REAL people. They lived, breathed, had lives that meant something.
My great great grandparents and great grsndmother
As many of you who have read my blog before are aware, I was adopted.
I didn't HAVE a heritage as I grew up. I didn't look like them, act like them, think like them.
And for those reasons, I was the outcast, black sheep of the 'famly'.
But at age 30, God allowed me to find my birth mother!
I HAVE A HERITAGE!
As I got to know my birth mother better over the years, I asked many questions.
She shared generously all she knew, and I met and talked with many of my older relatives too.
Photos and stories were shared with me, precious memories and love.
Acceptance.
To know that I'm not just a stick added to someone's family tree, then erased, is awesome.
KNOWING is freedom for me!
My Birth Mother
So, why do I love old stuff? It's because all the old stuff was around when my ancestors were alive.
Perhaps I find a little old piece of lace that was used on a dress way back in the 1800's.
Well, someone made that lace, someone wore that lace, and someone took care of it over the years so that it is now in my possession. That meant a lot to them, and it means a lot to me.
As the years go by, I hope that the pieces I have been entrusted with will be owned by others who see it for the beauty and history and nostalgia that it inspires in me. They are all so unique, just like we are. As I look at your blogs, your You Tube videos, your artwork, I see so many beautiful ladies who love similar things that I do. You ladies are going to be the ones that future girls look to as their ancestors, their history, their inspiration!
So, thank you, each of you, who inspire me, who love things that are old, who see the value of caring and using and making beauty where you are. Thank you for sharing your lives with us, for teaching us what you know, for being a part of my life and my history. Some day, our grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc. will look back and say,
"Did you see all those laces that lady had way back in the 2000's? I want a collection just like that!"
Those old black and white or sepia photos that are cracked and sometimes torn? Well, I have a few of those now that are MY OWN ANCESTORS!!!
WOW...what a gift! I'll NEVER give those up. To see faces that were my own relatives is priceless, and unless you've never gazed at a face that belongs to you, you may not understand.
My Birth Mother
"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:
thou maintainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places;
yea, I have a goodly heritage."
Psalm 16:5-6
And if you have someone you love who doesn't know, who doesn't have that, please try to understand them. Don't try to fit them into your own mold, don't try to direct their lives to be what you want it to be. Let them be themselves! It's NOT WRONG if they don't think like you do.
They are going to be different than you!!!
And it's those differences that God can use to make YOU a better person, just like those differences in you can make them a better person.
And may I just add one more word about it.
Acceptance.
Blessings,
Doni
