Awards Season, DAR and Gram.

"Awards Season" has begun. The Golden Globes, Academy Awards, BAFTA, etc.
But it isn't just Awards for Television, Movies, Music, Plays, Musicals and Entertainment.
It is Award Season for High School Seniors.

Middlest with the other top finishers from the 4 area high schools.

And, Middlest received an award yesterday. No Red Carpet at this one, but parental paparazzi. And, this award would've made my Gram very pleased. The local chapter of the DAR picked her essay from the top finishers of the 4 area high schools to send on for a national scholarship contest sponsored by the DAR. The essay prompt was something about which amendment of the constitution you value most and why. He essay earned her the title of "DAR Good Citizen 2016".

The pin collection sported by the elegant leader of the local DAR Chapter was fascinating! And, Middlest was awarded a pin to start her own collection. Her pin bears the DAR emblem and "2016 DAR Good Citizen" on it's face.

Now, the DAR isn't an organization that everyone is familiar with in 2016. It is the Daughters of the American Revolution. The members are direct descendants of those who fought for our independence from the British- American History 101. And, I know of the DAR because Gram talked about our heritage, the DAR, and being a part of American History through George Philip Keister, who fought in the Revolution. Now, there are also "Gram stories" that might have been just that - "The Indian Boy" I think was a warp of truth, but the genetic bit rings true.

So, by a route reaching deep into the DNA of my Middlest beauty, she is a Daughter of the American Revolution. Now, the contest has nothing to do with that. In fact, I'm sure the judges do not know that she is part of their ranks. But, Gram was very proud of our history, and her spirit was probably there yesterday. She likely told God she's just gonna "scrub her teeth, wash her face" and then she's ready to watch the ceremony. If things like that do happen, I hope she was there. I watched an episode of Long Island Medium, so, I'm proceeding as if.

This is the original DAR certificate, awarded to "Aunt Velma" in 1926. She was the one who pursued the technicalities of being recognized as a Daughter of the American Revolution. Velma did a lot of our family tree, and I have much of her materials and writings on the subject. Her certificate hangs on the wall in our study, alongside a copy of the original deed of family land from the late 1700s. History makes me happy and sad all at once. That land is no longer in our family- that is another story that involves the dreaded Aunt Mildred!

Anyhow. The thread that makes Middlest tied to a soldier in the American Revolution.

She is the daughter of me. 

I am the daughter of GT Hamilton; 1941- (still my Daddy, and a really cool fellow!)

He is the son of Gram, Helen Ruth Fink Hamilton;  1911-2011

She was the daughter of Mary Edith Keister Fink: 1883-1961( Aunt Velma was of this generation)

Mary was the daughter of Simon Detar Keister; 1852-1949

Simon was one of the 11 children of David Keister; 1824-1890(three older brothers fought in Civil War)

David was a son of Daniel Keister; 1784-1862

And...

Daniel was the son of George Philip Keister, born February 9, 1749 died November 15, 1834.

George came from Durstel, Alsace, France (so, German, but in French territory) on the ship "The Neptune" in 1752 at the age of 3. The family eventually ended up in the "wilderness" of Pennsylvania before the Revolutionary War. He served in Captain Thomas Stokely's Ranging Company from Westmoreland County as a man in his 30's. 

So, there you have it. Middlest shares her name with her American Revolution ancestor.

 This is George Philip Keister's grave in Westmoreland County, PA. It sits atop the hill, near the sweet little church. 

And dotted down the hill are monuments of members of our family. In the foreground are stones marking the graves of George and Edith Fink, Gram's parents, and Elizabeth and Carl Fink, Gram's siblings. Gram and her husband are buried elsewhere. But isn't there charm in the walkway at the right-a walkway through time and family? 

I am, and I know Gram is, proud of Middlest for a lot of reasons, but I do enjoy the loops that come in life and reminders of our ties into the past. The DAR award gives Middlest a little money for schoolbooks next year, and if she does well at the state and national level, a bit more for her studies. Gram firmly believed in a college education, she being a Grove City College graduate, and surely is cheering her Great Grandchildren for their educational pursuits! Miss you Gram. 

Middlest and her guidance counselor, Mrs. Younkin.

Congratulations to me on the birth of my Son!

My Father-In-Law is Dutch born, and he shares with us a nice tradition. On the birthday of one of "ours", he sends us all a "Congratulations! On the birth of your _______(son, daughter, niece, nephew, brother, sister, mother, father, grandfather or grandmother) " It is followed by the words of the Dutch birthday song "Lang zal die leve in de gloria- hiep, hiep, hiep, hoera! " Which, I believe, we all sing at each birthday celebration of this family.

This tradition is a reminder of the tangle that makes a family. We are not insular, and each one of us is part of that whole. The birth of a family member should be celebrated, not just for what it means for that person, another year older, wiser, but also what it makes the rest of us. I have become an Aunt eleven times! I have become a daughter- making my parents a mother and a father for the third time- but also a daughter by marriage, making my In Laws- In Laws- again! When I was born, my sisters became sisters of another. The birth of my Huz, 50+ years ago made my future as his wife possible. And the birth of my children has turned me into a mother, then Eldest into a sister of one, then two, Middlest into both a big sister and a little sister and Youngest into a little brother. Their births made 5 people into Aunts and 5 into Uncles- again. And, 4 Grandparents were born at the birth of Eldest, nearly 21 years ago. Since Eldest was born, she has become "cousin" 11 times. Each of us is built, grown and blessed by these moments in history that adds to our identity.

 

Today we each celebrate the birth of a son, brother, nephew, cousin and grandson. My Youngest was born 15 years ago. The first, and only, Grandson of my parents, and adding to the list of boys for my In Laws. He was the first of my children to be born in such a way that made me understand why some women make it through the experience of birth and call it "a beautiful experience". Up until then, my experience could be summed up by saying "Well, I didn't die." How I got around to number three is a testament to my optimism.

I hesitate to write a blog about my children, as in "who they are." There seems to be a line, uncross-able in their privacy if I write anything too personal. This is why I never use their names in my blog, or social media. I don't mind blogging about what they are doing, and certainly this informs who they are as people. For they do wonderful things!

 So, let me just say, I am very proud about my young man. He is a really amazing person, who has changed us all, and challenged us to be better, more positive, energetic people, Grands, Aunts, Uncles, Parents, Sisters, Cousins- we are all tangled into his group, and should Congratulate ourselves for his blessing.


Lang Zal Die Leve in de Gloria! In de Gloria! In de Gloria! HIEP! HIEP! HIEP! HOERA!!!

Six Senses and a photo.

Six Senses; sound, sight, feel, taste, scent, thought.


Quiet. Water drips from the wet roof snow, and clock ticking. Son has gone sledding.
Neutrals. World of white, browns and greys, blackish greens, fog,snow, trees.
Cold. Get busy so I can feel my feet, heart; beat,beat,beat, whomp!
Lingering. Tea made British white and Valentine's hazelnut chocolate.
Drafting. Son's experimental mashed potatoes and Daughter's baby chickens' pen.
Mothering is in an action, a state, a joy, a maelstrom of 7657 days and counting...