The big portrait on the wall fascinated me. Although I was too young to understand, I was aware that it was a huge tree with branches. I remember there were so many names written on the branches.
When I was little, we used to come to my grandfather’s house. He was the fourth of the five brothers (for which my direct grandfather was the eldest). When you enter their property, one would always notice a family tree painted on the walls. I just recall how he gave importance on family ties. He used to host family reunions in his place. It was a big gathering where a mass was being held for the family, and celebration come after (food & entertainment). I remembered that my siblings and I used to play a lot with our cousins. When grandfather died, I do not remember having reunions at all.
When I came of age, I find myself drawn to family ties. I see the value and significance of blood relations. I believe I was in high school when I started becoming interested in my family tree. I even documented it, wrote about it in my journal. I interviewed a great grandfather and asked all the names I needed to know to build the family tree. I know I have to find that journal that contains information about my ancestors. It was kept back home in the Philippines (it was one of the many). I hope they were not destroyed by the typhoon. I know I have too many other important things I need to do in my life. Building a family tree is definitely not a necessity or maybe a waste of my time. But I think documenting and sharing it is what my heart wants. For the ones who are to be born yet. My son is naturally interested in it. He asks a lot of questions about family members. He seems to be more like me. I told him it will be my project and I will share it with him.
It maybe good to look where we came from, to acknowledge the past, the family, our roots. To make that spirit alive, spirit of being a family. Pray for healing and pray for hope. We are but many branches coming from the same trunk, originating from the same root. In a global perspective, we are all interconnected, intertwined.
It will be nice if we all continue to value our origins, our families. Like now, I try to reach out for my other cousins, nieces, nephews (the new generation). But it seems different. We are connected through social networking sites only and I see no effort from the younger ones to get to know their families. Don’t you think it would be nice to be connected not just by social media like Facebook or Instagram? We aim for a connection that has depth, sincerity, and meaningful. Maybe it will be one of my goals for my own branches. I will make sure my branches will forever be united in love and in the spirit of being one. I better start building my family tree project!
K.Lazaro 