My family and I all share an equal love for sports; mainly football, basketball, volleyball, track, tennis, and golf. On the whole anything active and we’re there. As I was growing up, I watched my older siblings develop talents outside of sports. They were all good at something, being the youngest I wanted to find my individuality and uniqueness. I wanted to know what, other than sports, I had a knack for. One day as I was pondering this thought, as I was walking to my grandma’s house. I often go there and love to read and listen to my grandma’s genealogy stories. On this particular day I was reading the history of my great-great-grandfather, James May, and his travels from England. It was a challenging journey, and by the time he reached the Salt Lake Valley, he had lost seven family members, with two only making it to the Salt Lake Valley. I felt compassion for his hardships, but I also got to know him, and the growth he experienced. Soundly it dawned on me, sensing that this all had a greater purpose;I found that this is something that I love, and this is the something I was looking for.
I finally found something outside of sports that will hold my interests. My family and I still enjoy any kind of sport. This is something that brings my family together, but this was something that gave me my individuality. Through this new found love of my family’s genealogy, I found me.
Before this experience, I lacked the confidence that made me who I am today, now I know what my interests are. I have learned a lot and still have a lot more to learn. I’m so excited to learn and dig around my family’s history. As I read through the pages of my ancestors and all the different experiences that they have gone through, I get to know where I come from. It makes me want to live my life to its fullest, live my life in a way that would make myself and my ancestors proud. Fifty years down the road when I look back on my life, I want to be able to say that I lived a full, happy, and successful life; a life full of meaning and significance. When my children and their children read their family’s history, they can be just as excited as I am to know the exciting realm of family history.
Family history and genealogy has led me to the path of finding myself and my ancestors, has encouraged me to love and appreciate the family that I have and have had, and has given me the confidence to continue doing the things I love, like sports, but attempting and enjoying new things.