Voices from the Past

 History can be fascinating. It connects us with ancestors who have lived, laughed, and loved before us. They also had struggles and heartaches, but they handed down a legacy to a future generation of people they couldn’t even imagine at the time they lived.

History sets the cobblestones to pave our destiny. Edmund Burke said, “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Sometimes it almost seems that we end up repeating too much of it even when we do know history. But Mahatma Gandhi had a different perspective on it. He said, "Remember, all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Always."

Have you ever thought of where your values come from.? If you're like most people, they were taught to you, either directly or indirectly. Usually, the core values are learned early from parents or caregivers, who got theirs from their parents. The chain continues back, linking us with the past and through our ancestors. Edmund Burke also said, "People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors."

Although many people research their genealogy, others develop a love of history from living it. I talk with people all the time who grew up farming by hand the way people did a hundred years ago or more. In fact, I grew up much this way myself. Perhaps this is why I majored in history for my first degree. I've heard calls from the past since I was a child. 

In studying our family histories, we can adopt the good we find and learn from the bad. It is a way to connect with our heritage and discover who we are. Do you hear voices from the past in your family? Have you heard family stories that you can pass down to your children or grandchildren? Are there traditions, celebrations, or special ways of doing things that are unique to your family? Keep them, share them, and let the voices continue.

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