An Emotional Payoff!

This is my beautiful boy, Brody. He came home for the weekend yesterday. I wasn't planning on being busy. I wanted to sit and enjoy him.

 But, I spent the morning painting the kitchen, hallway and stairs, and swimming with the little ones.

Finally, I made my way upstairs and got the last gallon of paint out to apply to my daughter's bedroom walls.

And then Brody came in, sat down, and breathed new life into my weary soul. He doesn't know that. He will when he reads this because he always reads my stuff. He is a quiet support to me.

But here's the gem: he told me he loves the stories about his ancestors! Brody is and always has been someone who marches to the beat of his own drummer. He'll master anything he sets his mind to. And here he was talking to me about genealogy. My heart started racing and I had to catch myself because I can get overly excited when it comes to this stuff. (I know when that is happening 'cause he'll start laughing).

He said he'd been so inspired when hearing stories about his ancestors that he was wondering about a career in genealogy. I don't know much, but I told him it's pretty much a labor of love. It's NOT a hobby! It's an important work to be in love with. There are things he's meant to do with his life. Part of that will be to help to find more ancestors, get them in order, and share their stories. He'll figure out how to do that while sharing his music and other interests.

Annual Jan.1st Polar Bear swim.
This pic. is old and he's going to kill
me for sharing it! But he's a fun guy. Just had to add it.

What I really want to share is my surprise. Surprise that someone whom I regard as fun and fully-engaged in life and all of the adventures it has to offer, shares my passion. Family history touches a deep part of us, a place where all of our emotions live. It's not always a place you get to in a busy world.

But Brody came to visit. And I found out that he goes there sometimes, too. When I didn't think anyone was listening. When I was writing because I felt compelled to share their stories because they'd bug me 'til I did. You know...those invisible people.

I don't know if I can convey well enough what the new connection I feel with my son means to me. To know that by doing what I love someone else that I love was touched and inspired. Such a simple thing. But it could have been something I'd never have known about my son had I not had the courage to just be me, doing what I love to do, sharing it bit by bit.

Thanks Brodes! You made your mama smile. You gave me a reason to keep going. Thanks for listening. And thanks for talking to me. I love you.