The cellar,
Jackson sighed as he descended moldy steps.
Having worked from attic to cellar, Jackson had just eaten a copious number of brownies Grammy
forced on him. Oh, Jackie! What an industrial (industrious) little boy you are! Have another brownie…
After a pot of black
coffee and a belly full of brownies, Jackson was galvanized to tackle the dank cellar. The first few boxes were with
junk. Then the third box yielded
treasure.
An old camera from long ago era, 1870s maybe Civil War? Riveted by the tin-type photos carefully
labeled with names, Jackson could pick out physical resemblances in his own
generation.
Jackson froze when one branch of the family turned and headed
to here-to-fore hidden family names, absent from family conversations. One of the great-great-grandfathers was Amos
Lee, a black soldier and his black wife, Martha Lee held a child on her lap…Jackson
Lee.
It was a page turner. Tin-types led to Seneca tribes in New York
and then onto Oneida tribes, some twigs went to the Lakota tribes in the West.
Well, that’s a hell of a thing…Jackson smiled.
Trees have to have deep roots.
 |
| Source: a Lakota married couple |
You never know how far the family roots will go
ReplyDeleteSearching out family lines can be enlightening.
DeleteNow that is a treasure to find. Great story.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be amazing to open a dusty box and discover something like this?
DeleteSo good!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I love where your mind (and Delores' words) have taken you (and us) this week. Jackson uncovered a real treasure didin't hear. Industrial strength effort - and corresponding reward. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that Jackson discovered his family roots. He could map out a whole new family tree from this. Great use of the words. I have to say though, that with a belly full of brownies, I'd be more inclined to take a good long nap!
ReplyDeleteEvery so often, it takes opening an attic box to let us remember where we came from.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a find that I'm sure gave him something to think about. I love that first picture, it is stunning.
ReplyDeleteApologies to all above who commented so kindly: The past few days have had me sick in bed. So much to do, but oh well.
ReplyDeleteI hope readers and writers will start searching along their own family trees! You will be surprised where it goes.
Love what you did here. We really all do have deep roots that are unbeknownst to us, don't we?
ReplyDelete