My Family Tree

It was over 10 years ago
that I made the trip.

I remember traveling up the coast
of North Carolina – coming into
small towns on quiet dirt roads.
Somewhere down this road
or somewhere on this trip
I thought I'd come to learn something
about myself -
my heritage...
something that would
provide some knowledge
for me.

I came upon a church cemetery
built with the help of my grandfather's
grandfather.  Looking back at this
expedition.  It seems that this cemetery
somehow signifies both
my origin and end – a sobering thought
if I think about it too much.

At the time I was studying
social work, and looking at how
genograms and genealogy
can highlight patterns, relationships
and other tendencies.

I don't know that I yet
understand or have any insight,
from this, into who I am
or how I became the person
I now am...

but I do need to know
that I am a part of something...
connected to a larger family
or families, instead of feeling
that there is just me -
me alone
and nothing or no one
else.

By Bruce Whealton
April 4, 2009