"Look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people." Thich Nhat Hahn

Monday, February 18, 2013

Stop the Presses!

You never think it will happen to you. It is always someone else’s spouse – never yours . My husband finally confessed…he is interested in family history and wants me to teach him how to get started. 

 CRASH! Sorry, I have to pick myself off the floor. Tell the hospital to ignore my DNR request, I have something to live for!

 Now, don’t get me wrong, my darling husband has been very patient and supportive of my genealogy obsession interests. He has even gone to some of my presentations and helped set up, politely listened and didn't even fall asleep. He has even encouraged me to attend conferences like the CAFG in April. He has endured my endless conversations about my upcoming presentations at Rootstech and has not run screaming from the room…yet.
But in the 28 years we have been married, has he never been interested in the actually doing any genealogy, he has been content to let me do the family history. So imagine my surprise when out of the blue, he said he wants me to teach how to get started!
[Cue romantic music] A happy couple, holding hands, merrily skipping through the gravestones together… Okay, I’m back. Had a brief daydream there.

What brought about the change? I think it all starts with stories. You share the great stories we find as family historians. We lure them in with stories. Then we lead along with mystery, followed up by lots of excitement and enthusiasm. I mean, how long can a person resist the gravitational pull of genealogy? As they say...

Posted by Valerie Elkins at 11:44 AM

10 comments:

  1. Love this post! My husband has been my biggest supporter, unfailingly. He says he will do his FH in retirement...I therefore ignore his side with determination. I hope it gives him some pleasure when he has more time on his hands. LOL about some aspects of this incl the DNR.

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    1. Pauleen, I thought I would have to wait until his retirement too. So, just goes to show you, you never know!

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  2. Love it! My hero was my enabler when we had 6 children at home. He always wanted to do, but could not resist getting side tracked with history. Keep us up on how he progresses. ;)

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  3. Fran, having an supportive enabler is so helpful. I am looking forward to sharing this with him. It just makes it even more meaningful and fun. Will keep you posted!

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  4. This is hilarious! And terrific! Now you are a genealogical pair. This will NEVER happen to my husband. I say that now, but . . . he is going to retire in a couple of years, so we'll see. I think he'd rather research my family than his own, if he does start. He sees me chirping over little "finds," and I think he's just amused at this point.

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    1. Thanks Mariann! You never know, I never thought mine would come around. Never pushed it. Maybe someday you will be surprised too!

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  5. Valerie,

    I just wanted to let you know that this post is listed in today's Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/02/follow-fridayfab-finds-for-february-22.html.

    Have a great weekend!

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  6. Too funny! I'm sure I would faint if my husband said he was interested. I can't imagine him without a "glazed" look when I tell family stories! ;)

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  7. My husband perks up if I've found something about HIS family, but my family is just a big jumble of blah blah blah as far as he's concerned. If I ever get to have one of those day dreams, I'll let you know.

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  8. You got me with your daydream. LOL! That's a fantasy of mine too. :) Great post!

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