The past can be a complicated entity, not necessarily strutting and fretting its hour upon the stage to quote a certain bard but more like a “walking shadow” ready to reach out and take your hand. It gives us cause to reminisce whilst at the same time there are certain elements that we would prefer to place in a box and throw away the key. However as I’ve learnt the box can inclined to break.
Recently, how I shall I put this, my mental health has not been great and it was starting to make me physically ill. What hurt the most was being unable to turn to the one thing that has been my passion for nearly 12 ½ years. I’ve had periods of burnout but I can never recall a time prior to this where I was throwing genealogy from me. I just wanted to stare at the wall.
After a while of being in the same cycle I could feel a small ember of curiosity but not enough to bring my genealogy spark firing on all cylinders. Trawling the census records was helping a little bit but still it didn’t feel enough which only added to my frustration!!
During one conversation someone simply said to me go look for a story and afterwards I thought what on earth could the story be. So about two days after that I went for a walk around the local cemeteries (as one does!) because sometimes just a few names and dates can lead to a good story.
Well reader, I did find a story and the genealogy spark was burning bright! To even feel the rush from the thrill of the chase, I could actually feel my eyes watering because I hadn’t felt that for so long. It’s also given me a reminder of how important genealogy has been for my mental wellbeing. Being able to escape for a few hours really does help to blow away the clutter in my head. The testimonials on the website serve as a reminder why I love doing what I do whether it was in 17th century Germany or helping an only child discover that they were part of a bigger family.
I feel a renewed determination to not let the spark die out again in the manner that it did. I also want to say thank you to those who sent kind comments and messages. I’m very grateful for the people around with out whom I would implode.
To that person who said go look for a story, honestly what you’ve given back to me… it means more to me than words can express. Thank you wouldn’t be enough.
And that story? Don’t worry a blog post will be up shortly! :-)
