Family Ties

 

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!

I just found out something SO AMAZING about my family...
something in my history that made me JUMP UP AND DOWN...

something that tells me in just one MORE way that what I feel, what I DO, isn't a fluke...

my great grandmother created her own newspaper!

UM, HELLO???
No one ever thought to mention this to the little redheaded Debby-girl,

who in fourth grade created the newspaper at her elementary school in Redding, CA
[and yes, the Rother Roadrunner is STILL going strong!]
and who then was on the Crescent junior high Crusader yearbook staff

and the Savanna high school Rebel Dispatch newspaper staff

and who became a real live professional writer? 

Nope. no one told me.
I honestly don't think too many people KNEW

that she and I were both writers.

But my 2nd cousin Barbara sent a newspaper clipping to my mom years ago,

and my mom just found it today...

First we looked at the photo in the clipping, 

both remarking how MUCH my grandma - my mom's mom - looked like HER mom,

who was called Nana by everyone. Or, according to the news clipping, 'Mom'.

Then I started reading the text...
and I literally jumped up and down.
My great grandma Mason was a WRITER!

To discover that amazing tie with a woman I have heard about but never met,

to know that writing is in my BLOOD 

from my great grandmother Effie Mae Shohoney Mason

along with my multiple-great grandfather George Mason, 

the Virginia statesman who wrote the Virginia Bill of Rights

 that was the basis for the US Bill of Rights adopted by Congress

well, that's just something that blows my mind.

Here's what the news clipping text says:

SURPRISE! The boys took Mrs. Effie 'Mom' Mason out dinner. 

On her birthday, Friday, her boarders at 'Mason Manor' on 6th Street (San Jose, CA)
entertained her at the Napoli Cafe. During the war, 'Mom' sent personal letters
and the mimeographed 'Manor House News' 

to more than 90 former members of her 'family' of students and young businessmen.
Twice the Manor was sold, but 'Mom' managed to stay on as tenant so her 'boys' 

could always come home for a meal. In the 31 present boarders and their guests who honored her were Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Corps veterans.
Shown in the photo with Effie Mason are Milo Badger, Frank Wilson, and Steve Connally.
The evening ended with a song fest at San Jose State College Credit Union
 

('Mason Manor' was a boarding house located across the street

from San Jose State University's tennis courts)

This serendipitous find reminds me that who we are is so much more

than one phase of our lives,

so much more than one 'job' or position of responsibility we hold,

so much more than just one relationship we may have.

I have so many influences on my life, some I still don't even know about...

how many new things there must be to discover about my past,

and about ME!
 

What a remarkable moment of grace,

learning that you carry on the traditions of your family

just because it's who you are, and were meant to be...