Interviewing Grandma and scanning her photos brings up many issues. I believe that as you inherit physical qualities you also inherit mental and emotional qualities. Looking at the various members of my family on my mom’s side, these are some qualities I’ve noticed. This led me to thinking about expanding these topics and writing a Welcome to the -insert family name- for new members or their parents like Kayla, Julie, Zoey, Zane, etc. It would be interesting if this were maintained over time and to see how parent’s actions or habits affect their children. The bible says “Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” Exod 34:7. Is this true? This could be documented over time and verified.
When people dive into genealogy it’s these stories they want. To feel a connection with the past and see themselves in their ancestors. Answering some basic questions about where they come from.
It could also address another problem. When a parent suffers through an issue like addiction, the child is skipped, and the grandchild the suffers the same issue. It’s possible for the child to observe a weakness for addiction in the parent and decide not to follow this path. However, the grandchild may not be similarly warned and fall into the same trap.
Another benefit is to help a parent consider the affects of his or her actions on the children. Are they starting something that they want the child to continue? Ask yourself if this behavior is something that your great grandchildren should do? What would your entry in the book be positive or negative?
My Inherited Ideas & Feelings:
- The need to force someone to agree with you
- Punishing someone with silence
- Feuding with relatives mentality
- Hot, unthinking, destructive anger
- An independence and isolation from others
- Can do spirit, DIY rather than purchase skilled labor
- Poor social skills, limited friends, no or few life long friends
- Good worker, easily becoming indispensable
- More education acquired later rather than earlier in life
This seems like a short list right now. Mom and Grandma both paid attention to some items on this list. I remember the anger issue in particular being curbed while we were children. And for my youngest cousin I participated with them in similar activities towards her.
There are some notable exceptions to this list. Everyone is by no means the same. My brother Christopher is very attractive to most people. I went to college straight out of high school and stayed. Mom doesn’t need to force anyone to agree with her.
I think you could be right, and we have a couple generations that can be lloked at.
Wow!! You reallly put alot of thought into this.