tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post7694084491078297255..comments2024-03-16T13:05:52.650-07:00Comments on A Family Tapestry: A Night of RemembranceJacqi Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-58467963648198201812013-07-08T15:32:05.177-07:002013-07-08T15:32:05.177-07:00The psychology behind the history makes for all th...The psychology behind the history makes for all the fascinating stories that bring history to life! That's why knowing one particular person's story helps answer questions like that, Iggy. Sometimes I wonder if that is why there is suddenly all this interest in ephemera, or in random discoveries of diaries in antique stores--and strangers transcribing them and posting them online.<br /><br />It may all come down to the fact that we're tired of memorizing names and dates and sitting down pat and convincing ourselves that that is "history." It isn't. There is so much more to know. As much drama as is in life is in history.Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-44444741281564192612013-07-08T15:23:18.793-07:002013-07-08T15:23:18.793-07:00Nuccia, thanks for your comment, and for stopping ...Nuccia, thanks for your comment, and for stopping by! It is interesting the common roots Americans and Canadians share, just as you said. I've found the same, tracing my husband's Irish roots.<br /><br />Quite a while ago, I was on a music tour in Canada which included being away from home on the Fourth of July. In one way, I felt forlorn over not being home for the Fourth. Yet, in another way, meeting and getting to know several Canadian friends has given me a lifelong tendency to not only remember the Fourth for my own benefit, but the First for my friends' Canada Day as well. I hope yours was splendid!Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-45340092736055565842013-07-08T15:17:59.835-07:002013-07-08T15:17:59.835-07:00Linda, so glad to see you back, but totally unders...Linda, so glad to see you back, but totally understand--and am glad to hear it was owing to good things!<br /><br />I'm also glad that all of us here comprise part of a group of people who have learned--despite school day disappointments--to appreciate not only the stories but the lessons of history, both personal and national.Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-33287215862188674192013-07-08T07:54:42.182-07:002013-07-08T07:54:42.182-07:00I have always enjoyed history. Not the rote memor...I have always enjoyed history. Not the rote memorization of dates - but the events - and trying to comprehend the motivations and thoughts of those doing whatever they did during the "event".<br /><br />One thing that has baffled me is this:<br /><br />Imagine being a farm boy from nowhere in say Georgia, marching with General Robert E Lee's army - you are in Harper's Ferry (the scene of John Brown's ill-fated raid) where you have won a "great victory" when your unit is called to make an emergency march to a great battle at Antietam approximately 17 miles away in mid-September 1862.<br /><br />What goes through the young man's head as he walks laden with heavy gear and rifle to a battle where he might well be killed? ...and for what reason does he do this?Intense Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08441598926026727682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-15797475284272283632013-07-06T03:51:00.609-07:002013-07-06T03:51:00.609-07:00Besides English, History was the only subject I *c...Besides English, History was the only subject I *could* relate to. It was Geography I couldn't *get*. It's funny how all these connect now to what we do - what we love. I no longer live in the U.S. but I still silently - and proudly celebrate the American holidays and take pride in the country my great grandfather loved so much. <br /><br />Happy belated 4rth! Sounds like you spent the holiday the way it was meant to be spent - reflecting.nucciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10002959734956364823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-68555457412478155902013-07-05T23:04:10.723-07:002013-07-05T23:04:10.723-07:00I agree with both of you and experienced the same ...I agree with both of you and experienced the same when I was a child. My children began that way, too, but we made a concerted effort to tie their history school lessons to someone in the family. As Mariann says, genealogy turned their boredom into engagement and sparked many a lively conversation around the table.<br /><br />Jacqi, glad you all had such a great time last night. I've been a bit silent lately (for good things) but have been reading and enjoying your latest series - and getting inspired to try some new things! Take care.Linda Huesca Tullyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12677498238088821264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-32417012373400333432013-07-05T19:36:44.875-07:002013-07-05T19:36:44.875-07:00Mariann, I totally relate to that. It's the fa...Mariann, I totally relate to that. It's the family history aspect that allows us to cultivate that sense of connection with our collective past. That's why I've always been an advocate of interjecting genealogy into schools' approach to teaching history. That relational method of allowing young students to see an episode in history in terms of "that's the war my grandfather fought in" seems to make those previously dull recitation of facts come alive for students.<br /><br />I sometimes wonder if school districts hired the "Joy Police" to kill every shred of fascination in history, from the middle grades on up. If it weren't for seeing my own family through the lens of history, I'd have given up on that academic discipline long ago.Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-64077918668810727442013-07-05T19:27:27.038-07:002013-07-05T19:27:27.038-07:00Thanks, Sally. You may have put your finger on it:...Thanks, Sally. You may have put your finger on it: the unexpectedness of it made it all the more enjoyable!Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-22573934519073646872013-07-05T19:24:53.949-07:002013-07-05T19:24:53.949-07:00Precisely, Wendy! Not only were they free from any...Precisely, Wendy! Not only were they free from any vested interests, but I understand their involvement came at great price, personally. A rare commitment in our time.Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-86416927844342198572013-07-05T19:22:53.226-07:002013-07-05T19:22:53.226-07:00It was indeed spectacular! There is just something...It was indeed spectacular! There is just something mesmerizing about watching those bright bursts of light against the dark sky.Jacqi Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03471698670217119444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-11427758509896529372013-07-05T17:35:46.293-07:002013-07-05T17:35:46.293-07:00It's strange to me that I never "got"...It's strange to me that I never "got" history, even disliked it, until I took up genealogy. Now history is real to me. So I can really relate to what you are saying. I would listen to a reading of the entire Declaration today, and I believe I would even understand it!<br /><br />Thanks.Mariannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543003593158696611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-36346410741910311432013-07-05T17:09:20.145-07:002013-07-05T17:09:20.145-07:00What a nice unexpected evening. Thanks for sharing...What a nice unexpected evening. Thanks for sharing!SallySearcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12085309109469827084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-65224323242582595072013-07-05T14:33:49.170-07:002013-07-05T14:33:49.170-07:00I'm grateful that the men who framed our Decla...I'm grateful that the men who framed our Declaration of Independence (and later our Constitution) had the best for the country in mind and not whatever it took to get reelected.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17863357756727783017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5034998384799920884.post-69855328005153468032013-07-05T08:34:13.477-07:002013-07-05T08:34:13.477-07:00Happy 4th a bit late! Sounds like you had a wonde...Happy 4th a bit late! Sounds like you had a wonderful ride home and views of the Fireworks! :)Far Side of Fiftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07995757632158408442noreply@blogger.com