A History Book

 When my parent's open their mouths, a history book pops out. Not literally. But, I do have pictures from my high school American History textbook in my head during a lot of their stories. In my dad's case, it's beyond that. He loves reading biographies on historic figures. Founding fathers are favorites of his. He reads about the good they have done as well as the bad. The bad includes slave ownership obviously. He reads about a variety of topics. 

My dad was always like that. When I was growing up, he subscribed the The Smithsonian magazine. Now that we are streaming only, I find myself enjoying the Smithsonian channel on Paramount plus. "Secrets Unlocked" is a favorite of mine. A lot of people like conversing with him because he is so interesting. 

In my mom's case, she very well could have been pictured in the women's rights part of the history book. At engineering school she was one of 24 women in her class in the late 60s. She graduated in 1970, the year my parent's got married. She describes her job search and early years and it's everything I have read about when reading about women's fights for equality during that time. 

This is one of the reasons I love them both so much. I see pictures and hear their stories from the 1950s and 1960s and it's a part if time. A time so long ago yet so recent. My dad was born in 1946 and my mom in 1948. They both are celebrating birthdays this month. They both enjoy their family most of all. 

I have always loved genealogy. I love learning about my ancestors and they both know a lot about our family's past. Someday, it will be up to my brother and me to keep these stories known in the family. Ancestry.com can tell me that my mom's grandfather came from Italy when he was 17 and who her grandmother was. But, it can't tell you everything. Only your parents can. 

Ancestry.com can't tell you that he came to work as an apprentice to a tailor and part of the deal is he would marry that man's daughter. Ancestry.com can tell you how many kids they had. It cannot tell you that he had to help in the home birth of his twin sons and decided they were done having kids after that! Ancestery.com can't tell you that he was Joe DiMaggio's tailor and that when he was dying he told his wife he loved her and she called him a bastard.  

Ancestry.com can't tell you that. But, my mom can. As her mom told those stories before. My dad has a bunch of those. We knew my dad's mom's family was from Scandinavia. We just didn't know what country. Ancestry.com DID confirm it was Finland. It also confirmed he has ancestors who landed in Ireland from the Spanish Armada. Basically, dad's Ancestry.com test confirmed the stories we already knew. But, it can't tell you about how his father, my Poppop, started as a messenger boy for a bank before phones were invented. He had worked his way up to a higher level when phones were invented and remembered using one for the first time. A rare thing saved for the high up messenger boys. He later would be a vice president for the same bank. 

Poppop was born in 1902 and died in 1999. He was a walking history book too. My Poppop used to spend the day cutting out newspaper articles for his family that he thought that person would like. My dad sits in the same chair with his smartphone texting them to us. I find it comforting and familiar. 

My dad saw a lot of Yankee games as a business prop. Poppop would take clients to games. They would enjoy the game and talk business. If they had a boy my dad's age, that kid was invited to come along. My dad knew his place and sucked up to the kid (well, all but once). It's a cliché that you wouldn't think really happened until you hear about it. That's how business was done back then. Ancestry.com can't tell you that. Or, the story of the one kid my dad just couldn't suck up to. It's a skill that served my dad well in his long career. 

I honestly think my parents should write a book loaded with personal stories from history just like these. I am so proud of my mom for her place in history. Other women and girls should hear her story too. Because even though we still fight for equality, she was part of what started that push to begin with. My dad always says one of the reasons he loves her is because they are equal. 

My dad has a lot of interesting stories too. That's why he is so interesting to talk to. He's always smiling when sharing his stories. He clearly has enjoyed most of his life. He still regularly talks to both of his much older sisters. I hope my brother and I are like that when we are their age! 

It makes me think about the stories from history that didn't make it into any history book. What did ancient people not document somewhere? What letters did founding fathers burn that never made it to a history textbook? What stories are President Lincoln's ancestors burying away from historians? I'm curious about the stories from history that weren't documented. Because those are usually the best ones!