spiffiness03:

(via papertissue)

I have told many stories concerning my pride in my ancestry, and heritage to the point of ad nauseum. Today, I told Carrie why that pride is there.

Growing up we were poor. I’m talking the kind of poor where your canned food has a white wrapper with black stencil telling you what is inside. I am all too familiar with the cheese that comes from Uncle Sam. Granted, we had plenty to eat, and that was due to growing up with my Great-Grandmother Hansing, and my Great-Aunt Mary K. Lots of garden grown vegetables, and very little money spent at the store for food; so I ate well. What really sucks about growing up poor is knowing that you’re poor; and that shame is an ugly weight to carry…especially if you’re a kid.

My great-aunt and great-grandmother saw to it that my brother and I knew our family heritage, and from where our family came. From my great-grandmother’s lineage, I heard how I descended from highland warriors, and the brave Irish who ventured across the Atlantic to get away from England’s oppressive government. From my great-grandfather I heard the story of how is father came over before WW1, and anglicized his name for fear of an ethnic backlash. He married a fierce, but loving and gentle Welsh woman named Carrie Rutherford. In true Celtic fashion, I would sit at the table, and eat while I was told stories and shown pictures that dated back to tintype.

I heard the stories of our family and how our luck didn’t change for the better after coming to America. My great-grandfather grew tobacco, and brewed wine which barely brought him, my great-grandmother, and their four daughters(my grandmother, and her sisters) through the depression. My great-grandmother told me of the tragedy she suffered after nearly being burned alive when she was a little girl, and how she miscarried what would have been my great-uncle. The victory is that we were still here, and the fact that we’re still breathing is a testament to our toughness as people; and my brother and I were named after these people.

When I heard these stories, both ancient and “current” I swelled up with pride; and still do. Because no matter what happens in my life either riches or poverty, good times or bad, my ancestry and heritage still remain. It is a permanent thing, and life and circumstance can never take that away. So I continue to tell the stories, and live my life in light of them because one day I will join them; and in their presence I will feel no shame. The only thing that validates them, and these stories I continue to tell is this:

I am still here.

fuckyeahstarwars:

are2:

Indiana Jones — Drew Struzan

Indirectly Star Wars related. Had to post.

Love it! LOL!

byepolar:

For those of you that like quizzes like this

“Friends can listen to Endless Love in the dark” :)

(via movieoftheday)

spiffiness03:

After seeing “Watchmen” this image is forever changed in my mind. :)