As kids, my father took my brother and I to more Civil War battlefields than I can remember. We toured antebellum homes and plantations, museums and mountains. Only once did we cross the Mason Dixon, to visit Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I loved learning about all of those places. My brother claims he has seen more cannons in his lifetime than he ever needs to see again. Mention genealogy to my Mother and her reply is usually “leave those people alone–they’re dead! My husband and kids, they are pretty much of the same accord–if it’s historical, well, I am on my own. Except for my Dad and my Grandaddy. They are the ones responsible for my love of history. As a little girl, I remember books spread out on the floor with my Grandaddy and he would show me this relative who fought in this battle or that skirmish. My father would tell stories of how things were back in the Old South and he would also teach us about each place that we visited – and there would be a quiz later (sometimes anyway – if we were lucky). Most kids (mine included) would sum it all up in one word -Boring- but not me, I hung on every word. I always have to laugh when Reese Witherspoon goes back home to visit her family in the movie Sweet Home Alabama –you know the part with the Confederate reenactors and all – well, my family is not that quirky, but it does bring back memories.
These days, when I work on my Genealogy project, I wish I would have hung on to the words a little more, remembered more about the names and places of my people in the stories my father and grandfather told. But the search is part of the excitement, one of the reasons I love the show History Detectives on PBS. I always say, “I want to be one of those guys when I grow up”. Well, the growing up part is never going happen, not completely; I think kids enjoy life way too much to just let it all go and be an adult 24 – 7. But I have decided to pursue my passion for history – I am going back to school! When I left Old Dominion University I was a Junior, majoring in Education. I got offered a position making a bit more money than teachers make and after a few teaching practicums, decided to go for the money. I have been back to school twice; the first time, I got married, and then the second, I got pregnant with my son. I have been a little apprehensive as to what life changing event could happen if I go back to school a third time, but now that my children are older ( and have informed me that they do not need Mom around as much) I have decided to do something I have always wanted to do. I register for my first class in a few weeks for summer session. It is only an online course, I want to see if I can handle the course load before taking on the actual classroom. I don’t see myself making loads of money after I graduate, but eventually I hope to work with a historical association or property, and possibly I will even get to dress in period costume – much to the embarrassment of my kids! Who knows maybe I can even play History Detective….