“Female Family History Month” was a unit we did about six years ago for school. The oldest girls were showing interest in their grandmothers and great-grandmothers. I called my mother for ideas, sent e-mails to Mr. Ferrero Rocher’s aunt who is the unofficial family historian on the Crook side (nice surname huh?), gathered pictures, typed up stories, and hoped for the best. We created a time line starting with the girls and began working our way back through family history just learning about the wonderful women who have forged the way before us. My expectations for this study were immeasurably surpassed!
I learned so much on a personal level. These women shared many of the same qualities -faith, strength, humor – and yet, they also each had a more dominate trait or set of traits that carried them through the specific trials they each were called to face. It caused some inner reflection into my own character. Had I developed mine enough to do what I needed to do in my own life? Introspection is a curious thing. Rather than feeling discouraged at the lack of qualities I saw in myself, I awed in the realization that many of the qualities I lacked were evident in my own mother, sisters, aunts, cousins. Through their service they fill the void helping to teach my daughters. And as luck would have it, I can see many traits passed on through the generations, skipping some, only to make an appearance in my own daughters.
How was I to know that my mother’s love of books and teaching would take root in my own soul giving me the courage to teach my own children?
The beloved gift of music comes from my Yaya, my paternal grandmother. She also is a published writer – something I learned during our unit study!
My dear Guelita (maternal grandmother) is constantly cooking, sewing and serving others. She sees the good in everyone, something I hope to be able to do someday.
Guelita’s mother, Carolina, (old pictures of old people do not do them justice. She was a beautiful woman!) was a wonderful seamstress and quilter.
Mariana Cruz was loved by all and carefully tended a garden. She was a true pioneer joining the LDS church in Mexico in 1920, raising her children to believe in God and His miracles.
Yaya Juana was a great cook – never cooking the same thing twice in a week, which was hard to do during the Spanish Civil War.
I hope to be as spunky and resourceful as Yaya Ramona who fed her family through ingenuity during yet another war that raged in Spain.
And the courage displayed in Jane, Ellen, and other pioneer “grandmothers” who left their homes in England and Wales to travel to Salt Lake because of their religion mean a lot when my own faith is tested and tried.
I feel a connection with these, my foremothers, who laughed, cried, experienced heartache and joy, served, sacrificed, lived.
Join Wordfull Wednesday by writing on this week’s topic of “Mothers”. Come back here, sign the Mr. Linky, and then go visit other’s posts to read what they have to say.
I heard Sheri Dew once, asking us to think of the righteous women who have come before us- and who now stand behind us, like a righteous army cheering us on. It was a powerful image.
I have wanted to put together a project similar to the one you have shared. Thanks for the motivation.
I am just noticing the baby calendar on the sidebar! Did it just show up or have I been missing it??? Congratulations. I think (if my math is about right), we’re due around the same time. I’m early November, but will probably see this little one before Halloween. Stay healthy and know that I’ll pray for you too.
First, I just noticed the baby calendar too! Congratulations! And, if I may be such a begger, I would LOVE copies of your Crook side! I have been thinking about that since you wrote about it in the CC years ago! And third, I loved your post. It does help to think of all those women’s wonderful qualities being passed on and on. And don’t short yourself, you are AMAZING! 🙂
Makes me want to do some more family history 🙂
I wrote this post about my mom on her birthday- so I thought I’d use it for todays’ wordful wednesday. I hope that’s okay 🙂
Once again Cocoa I have come to your blog and come away a better person, more determined to live up to the example of all my wonderful mothers that have gone before. I wish I could visit personally with your Guelita and Yaya. Their warmth, love and service reach out from those pictures and touch my heart. Be sure and give them both a hug.
Grandmothers are amazing people aren’t they? I’m so grateful for mine and the many things they have taught me.
Congratulations!!! Hope you are feeling well. I’m so excited for you!
I’ve been a little absent from blogging lately, but it looks like I tuned in just in time to see your good news…so happy for you!
I enjoyed your post also, the older I get the MORE amazed I am by my Mom, Grandmas, and all the Greats.
How wonderful to know so much about the women in you family! It puts me to shame!
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congrats on the Pregnancy! I just noticed that today. I can’t wait to see what you are having. Hope all is going well…we are going to miss our trips to NV. Things are crazy here. I’m working on trying to get sam to play with himself and not hit the girls.
Pregnancy? What? Dang you google reader….I never get to see the fun things on the sidebar. Congratulations! That’s very exciting.
I like to learn a little more about your family and our family. Check out our family’s Facebook page, there are some pretty sweet pictures of Guelita Caro.
Congrats on #8!!! I’m so happy for you!!!
So love the old pics. Your mother was then, and continues to be such a beautiful woman.