Rod, thank you for writing another extremely enjoyable read with great historical perspective.
My ancestors also came to America on the Mayflower, but unfortunately I do not have any knowledge of what battles they were in or the quality of their lives. Great job.
Thank you, Patrick. Only 50 of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower survived the first winter, and out of those, 16 people fought the Indians at Corn Hill (only nine days after the Mayflower landed). So it’s a very good chance that your ancestors were in that battle, and if not, they certainly knew the people who were.
I think your Dad's wisdom of, "I don't know." is in line with God's intention of us not to know. Paraphrasing Socrates - I am the wisest man because I know nothing.
Really beautiful writing, Rod. Thank you for sharing your story, and the journey of rediscovering your roots.
I wrote a poem back in March, in reflection of the 15th anniversary of my father’s death:
We carry more than our own stories.
We carry the hands that planted,
the hearts that broke and healed,
the voices that prayed in silence
for futures they would never see.
My strength did not begin with me.
It rose from the soil my ancestors tilled,
from lullabies hummed through war and worry,
from women who walked through fire
with babies on their hips
and hope stitched into their pockets.
Resilience was their love language.
Wisdom, their parting gift.
And now—
I honor them not just by remembering,
but by becoming.
By pausing to listen,
by daring to rest,
by choosing gentleness when the world demands armor.
We are the wildest dreams
of those who came before.
Let us live like it.
Thank you, Avantika. I’m grateful you read my essay, wrote to me, and subscribed. And your poem is beautiful! I feel it.
Rod, thank you for writing another extremely enjoyable read with great historical perspective.
My ancestors also came to America on the Mayflower, but unfortunately I do not have any knowledge of what battles they were in or the quality of their lives. Great job.
Thank you, Patrick. Only 50 of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower survived the first winter, and out of those, 16 people fought the Indians at Corn Hill (only nine days after the Mayflower landed). So it’s a very good chance that your ancestors were in that battle, and if not, they certainly knew the people who were.
I think your Dad's wisdom of, "I don't know." is in line with God's intention of us not to know. Paraphrasing Socrates - I am the wisest man because I know nothing.
True. The older I get the less I know.