I felt like writing...
I probably should explain why I chose this particular prompt. I while back, I bought this book, mostly for Gwen, I'll admit. However, while flipping through it, I realized that they would make nice writing prompts. So, today is the first day since I had it that the quote made me want to write.
We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers, and from the bones of our people. -Janeway, The Cloud Stardate 48546.2
(note: Mike argues with the book, attributing the quote to Chakotay, but also points out that Janeway outranks him, so she gets the credit if she wants it.)
This past year was the first time since I moved here, when I was three, that I did not go to Ohio for Christmas. All my extended family is there. The only blood family I have here is my mother. This was also the first Christmas since my Grandmother passed away. Even though I am not Christian, this whole scenario hit me pretty hard. I've been thinking a lot about who I am and where I come from. I am nothing like my family. My mother's side consists of church going folk and conservative viewpoints. They can't even tell each other how they feel about certain topics for fear of angering Cathy, the eldest of my mother's sisters. My father's side is scattered. Most of them are divorced, and I've only spoken to one of his many siblings at all in the last five years. My father, himself, now lives in Mexico with his new family, and I have not heard hide nor hair of him since my birthday. So, I am far from my roots, as it were, and that saddens me. But, on the other hand, if my family had not moved out here, I would still be in the small town that contains my family. I would not be the person I am today, and for the first time in my life, I really like who I am. I do regret the things I lost by being here though. I could have spent more time with my Grandmother and perhaps learn a little more Hungarian than I know (all in all a handful of words, mostly Happy Birthday). I could know my cousins better, especially Scott who lives in Vegas now. I guess my point is that I am far from my history and everything that, biologically, makes me who I am. Yet, I can't help be thankful for that. When I look at my family, I am happy that I am not like them. While that isolates me, and it always will, at least I can recognize that fact. Aren't we all isolated in one way or another?
I'm just rambling, I guess. At least someone gets me. I spent most of my life without that.
We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers, and from the bones of our people. -Janeway, The Cloud Stardate 48546.2
(note: Mike argues with the book, attributing the quote to Chakotay, but also points out that Janeway outranks him, so she gets the credit if she wants it.)
This past year was the first time since I moved here, when I was three, that I did not go to Ohio for Christmas. All my extended family is there. The only blood family I have here is my mother. This was also the first Christmas since my Grandmother passed away. Even though I am not Christian, this whole scenario hit me pretty hard. I've been thinking a lot about who I am and where I come from. I am nothing like my family. My mother's side consists of church going folk and conservative viewpoints. They can't even tell each other how they feel about certain topics for fear of angering Cathy, the eldest of my mother's sisters. My father's side is scattered. Most of them are divorced, and I've only spoken to one of his many siblings at all in the last five years. My father, himself, now lives in Mexico with his new family, and I have not heard hide nor hair of him since my birthday. So, I am far from my roots, as it were, and that saddens me. But, on the other hand, if my family had not moved out here, I would still be in the small town that contains my family. I would not be the person I am today, and for the first time in my life, I really like who I am. I do regret the things I lost by being here though. I could have spent more time with my Grandmother and perhaps learn a little more Hungarian than I know (all in all a handful of words, mostly Happy Birthday). I could know my cousins better, especially Scott who lives in Vegas now. I guess my point is that I am far from my history and everything that, biologically, makes me who I am. Yet, I can't help be thankful for that. When I look at my family, I am happy that I am not like them. While that isolates me, and it always will, at least I can recognize that fact. Aren't we all isolated in one way or another?
I'm just rambling, I guess. At least someone gets me. I spent most of my life without that.