I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting the grandparents. Now it’s time to step back a generation and visit with the grandparents’ parents, my eight great-grands. The great-grandparents were born between 1867 and 1885. The four on my dad’s side of the family were all born in Illinois. On my mom’s side, one was born in Ohio, one in Virginia, and the other two in England, the most recent immigrants in our family tree. Of the eight, only three were alive when I was born and I only knew one well (more on that when her turn comes around), which makes their stories more challenging to tell. And yet, the stories are there, gathering in The Singing Oak, waiting to be told! So onward we go. Click here for a peek at the family tree and see what’s in store.

Ah, another whisper in my ear…it’s grandfather Henry, the oldest of the great-grands, father of Henry, Jr. Yes, yes! With age comes seniority, and Henry will start us off in the New Year.

As we approach the Winter Solstice (the longest night of the year, December 21) and the end of the year, we become acutely aware of the passage of time. We look both forward and back as we reflect on the past and make resolutions for the future. This year as I look back, I give thanks for my beloved ancestors, the life stories (and DNA!) we share. And, I sing with joy for those loved ones who are present in my life, gracing me with their wisdom, support and love in countless untold ways. See you all in 2016!