Isn’t it interesting how life’s events often come full circle? Although the characters and places may change along this circular path, these evolutionary experiences become the stepping stones of our earthly journey; they become part of our life’s story. If we choose to share these stories, our tales can impact people we may never meet creating a kindred connection. Then, in the future, if fate decides, our stories return to us, or our family, or someone we know. But first, we must choose to share and connect with others.
A Travelers Tradition
Traveling with my Anderson cousins, Lisa, Laura, Wayne and Bruce, in the summer of 1979, we had the privilege to stand on five of the seven continents of the world. These cousins were world travelers who spoke five or six languages between them and understood several others. Me? I was a first timer who could barely manage English, my birth language, and had never stepped foot outside of the USA.
My Uncle Warren, my cousin’s father, was a geologist. His explorations took him to the far reaches of the dense jungles of the Amazon, the wilds of the African savannah, the desert sands of Aswan, and the tropical monsoons of Pakistan. He was a true Indiana Jones character, dressed in khakis and a hat, just lacking the whip.
The five of us, who were between the ages of 19-24, loaded up our Kelty backpacks and headed from Washington, DC to South America, South Africa (where their parents lived), Israel, and then to mainland Europe.
While using our EuroRail pass to explore places such as Pompeii, Paris, the Black Forest, and the Matterhorn, we came across many other world adventurers. One common tradition among them was to trade books with fellow sojourners, a practice my cousins participated for several years.
While on the train, one fellow backpacker passed me a book he’d just finished, The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth. This thriller had been made into a movie just a few years before and was set in Europe. It seemed the perfect novel to immerse myself in while traveling through Germany. Noticing the title, my cousin Lisa, leaned over and said, “I remember buying that book a few years ago.”
Sure enough, as I opened its cover to add my name to the list of travelers who’d read it; there, at the top of the list was Lisa Anderson! Lisa’s name was followed by a dozen or so other’s; people she would never know, but had shared this tale of intrigue. We laughed and laughed at how Lisa’s book came full circle back to her.
Choosing Connections
This simple story began with choices. My cousins chose to participate in a traveler’s tradition. They chose to connect with fellow sojourners and explore Europe, the homeland of their ancestors. They chose to share books and stories; and they chose to pass on their knowledge to me, their cousin.
Lisa still has this particular copy of The Odessa File.For over 40 years it remains perched upon her bookcase. For me, this book and our story, serves as a reminder that all things given seemingly come back to us full circle. And that stories shared can touch the lives of people along the way; people who you may never have the pleasure to know. But first, you must choose to connect and choose to share.
RootsTech gives you the tools you will need to connect with others and to share your story. It will guide you on the path to learn about your heritage and to discover your ancestors’ story. So, choose to connect with fellow sojourners and to explore the lands of your ancestors. Choose to share and pass on your stories. You can participate in doing all of this without leaving your home by choosing to connect at RootsTech.
Join us at RootsTech 2022 – Sign Up for Free (main website)
Choose Connection by Registering for RootsTech 2022 (Article)
