I have found, as I study my family history, that I learn so much, not just about my ancestors, but about the areas they lived and what life was like then. Just tonight I looked up the Cholera epidemic (an actual epidemic) that occurred in the mid-1800's. I have two ancestors that died of cholera in Germany during that time period.
The generations living today have it much easier than the generations of our ancestors, yet they were more content. Maybe it has something to do with their outlook? That shouldn't be a question, because I know it had everything to do with their outlook!
We have been given so much more than any other generation yet the generations on the earth at this time are the most ungrateful.
We are living in the most entitled, spoiled era of United States history. There has never been so many that ask what their country can do for them instead of the other way around. There have never been so many that feel they should be given handouts for virtually sacrificing nothing. They just whine and cry because someone else has more than them due to luck, inheritance, or (most likely) hard work. There have never been so many that blame others for the circumstances they live in or were born in instead of working hard in hopes of moving up in life. There have never been so many that expect retributions for being mistreated or their ancestors being mistreated. There has never been so many that blame instead of realizing they are in charge of their own destiny, no matter the obstacles. There have never been so many that do not look outward to see how to help, but constantly think about themselves. There have never been so many that are nonreligious and have turned away from God. It is no wonder our country is in more turmoil than ever before.
Learning about my ancestors has helped me appreciate many of my blessings. They went through much more trying times than any of us, yet they did not blame others or turn away from God. They did not expect handouts. They did not expect to become rich, yet they worked hard and did the best they knew how to move up in the world.
It makes me baffled at the ingratitude that constantly surrounds me on every side. Nothing flabbergasts me more than hearing someone put the USA down. Just for the fact that they were born in the USA, no matter what the circumstances, gives them a head start in life. The more I have learned about history, the more I have come to love the USA. It is not perfect, but it is the best government formed on the face of the earth.
I have come to know my ancestors and their life stories. I feel I know them. I love them, flaws and all. I have decided that I would love to write some of their stories. They each went through hard trials, even the ones that had money. Money does not equal a life full of being carefree and bliss.
I hope that the stories I share about my ancestors will somehow help others, including myself, to realize the blessings we take for granted living our lives of ease in 2020 in the land of the free. I know I will love sharing these stories because although some happened long ago, you will not be able to help having your heart feel something!
I will start out by re-posting a post that I posted awhile ago. I already have many stories in mind that I would love to share, but it is easy to start out with a post I already shared. It isn't the hardest trial I have learned about out of my ancestors' histories, but it does break the heart. I still want a different ending to the love story. Well, here is my first post about my ancestors:
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