Thankful Thursday: roots and branches

Last night, I put the finishing touches on a three-year project of enormous magnitude and importance (at least to me). I’ve gathered a treasury of family photos and historical documents, and I’ve burned everything onto DVDs–a love offering for my brothers and sisters.

Most of our family possessions were scattered along the Sawdust Trail, swept long ago into the dustbin of history. But I unearthed what I could, from private collections and public records. (Heh, Nancy Drew has nothin’ on me!) I gathered them all together into a single pile, and  I scanned them. And as of next week, each of my siblings will have digital copies.

Admittedly, the archives are incomplete. As recently as last week, I discovered family connections I never knew existed, and a handful of known relations are missing altogether. But it’s a start–a symbolic replanting of our family tree. Just in time for Spring, the season of resurrection and renewal.

Pictured: Nana and Grandpa Fred

    • Re: Congratulations

      Thank you, Emjai. I don’t know that it’ll carry the same significance for everyone in my family, but it means more to me than I can say.

    • LOVE your icon! 🙂

      My scanned images are too large (and too many, yay!) to fit onto a single CD, which is why I burned everything to DVDs. I suspect your family members will love whatever you copy/send to them.

  8. Oh, Melodye, what a wonderful thing you have done! Not only have you captured so much of your history, but you will be sharing that with your brothers and sisters and future generations. I can’t think of a more touching gift.

    • I’ve always enjoyed seeing your family photographs. And for so long, I yearned for talismans of my own past. And now…well, it’s a healthy start. Like you, I hope (and believe) my sisters and brothers will enjoy the package I’m sending them.

    • ((Thank you!))

      It was an enormous undertaking, as our family members (and shared history) are so scattered. I hope these talismans of our past will help bind us all together again.

  15. What a wonderful gift you have given to your family, Melodye… or should I call you, Nancy?

    I did roughly the same thing for my daughter but had prints made up instead of burning them onto a CD as I had found an amazing antique photograph album to put them in. I’m hoping to do the same thing for my son for Christmas

    • Nancy, Melodye…I’ll answer to either. 🙂

      Your daughter must have been over-the-moon happy with her pictures! (An antique album sounds lovely. Where did you find it?)

      I’ll bet your son will appreciate his gift, as well. How’s he feeling these days? I keep sending out healing thoughts, of course, for him AND for you….

      • I found it in a flea market/antique place that used to be on the road to Chester.

        I’m sad to say that I don’t know what she thought about it as I gave it to her for Christmas the year Gene died (He passed away in November) She walked out of the house with Irina, my granddaughter, six years ago and has never looked back. She probably went through and tore up all the photographs of me.

        I talked with J this afternoon and he is no better and what’s worse the Dr’s still do not know what is wrong with him. ARRRRGH!!!! I’m wondering if it is something in his apartment, the carpets maybe. He never had this problem when he lived in the house he rented on Lake Washington. He sounded so scared and depressed about the situation and really, really wants to feel well enough to be able to come back east this summer.

        Thank you for all the healing thoughts and prayers.It really helps to know that I have friends who care. Bless you

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