Although the history of humankind is infinitesimal compared to the age
of our Universe (if all the words in the Christian Bible represented
time, the last word at the end of the Bible would be the span of
humanity’s existence), humanity did not simply spring into existence –
we are a link in a chain of events that spans infinitely backward and
forward. Simply put, by virtue of our existence, we are connected to
infinity. Therefore, by making conscious connections to history, we
are in fact confirming this connection.
Creative writing, building a bridge to our ancestors, and creating
descendants are the ‘Creative Force’ in action. These are a means of
providing us with a sense of continuity and with a hope or feeling
that despite our physical end we are part of a much larger story.
Research into family history is most certainly an expression of the
‘will to create’. By building a bridge between human history and the
history of my ancestors, ‘Northern Skies’ and this section of my
webpage, are an illustration of how we all “live in the light of
eternity”.
Through the exploration of my family history, I obtained a deep sense
of connection to ‘history’ and that through this connection we learn,
through connecting the fragile seemingly inconsequential threads of
our lives, that we are the colours that shape the tapestry of human
history and bring it to life. By locating ancestors in a ‘time and
place’ we can connect them to the events of the day, and by so doing,
despite their ‘seeming’ anonymity, we learn that each of them had a
role to play in setting the course of history, and that we too play
such a role.
Through my research I have made many connections – connections between
families, connections between countries, connections through time, and
connections to significant historical events.
One of my hopes is that others might follow my lead and write about
their families and their connections to important historical and
cultural events and by so doing acquire a stronger sense of identity
and connection.