After he died, I had an opportunity to venture into the attic. I had always wondered what was behind that door that we weren't allowed to open as children and I was excited to find out.
What a treasure trove we found! There were so many things from the past! My mother's school books, very old pictures, quilt blocks, irons (the real irons), coal oil lamps, and so on.
One thing that found, and have kept is the family bible. In this bible, are listed the dates of birth, marriage, and death of family dating back to the mid-1800's. Tucked between some pages are the funeral announcements of some. I assume that these entries were made by my Grandma, and after her death by her son, my Uncle. I see my Mom's birth date, the date she married my Dad, and the dates that they both passed away.Conspicuously absent is my own birth date and that of my sister. I can only assume that the reason that we aren't there is because we were adopted.
I have to say that it hurt not to find my name in that bible. That family is my family whether my name is in there or not. It's a strange thing to be adopted and to come to grips with the whole family concept. It doesn't happen overnight, and in some ways it is still in process.
No matter. I entered the date of death of my uncle into that bible and put it away. I consider it my family bible whether my name is in there or not.
5 comments:
What a wonderful treasure!!
That is a beautiful tradition, recording family history in the Bible. I'm not sure people do that anymore, but what a sense of heritage, and sacredness. I'm glad you have that family Bible now, that piece of your past.
You have such a story to tell about your adoption. Each time you give a piece of it I find myself wondering more. We have an old family Bible too that was passed down from my husband's family. Not everything was written in it either.
Barbara and Joanne - yes it really is a priceless treasure.
Terri - thank you for your comment. My husband thinks that the adoption story is one that I should tell as well.
Yes, your adoption story is important and I am so glad you feel such a strong connection to your family. My sister adopted a little girl as a baby and she is grown now and has her own children. Recently she asked me for our family genealogy to pass on to her children because she considers us her family. I thought that was such a wonderful compliment--and, yes, her birthdate is in my genealogy of the family!
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