Page 73 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2021- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Give Them Roots,

Give Them Wings by Mabry Payne

quote I once read Papaw. My Papaw was
by an unknown a WWII veteran who
A author said this: had been stationed in
“History is who we are England as a typist and
and why we are the way an airplane inspector. He Inspiration
we are. History is not just began telling us stories
the past. History is the of his time in England,
present.” I wholeheartedly and my family and I sat
believe this quote to be there for hours, listening
true, and although I am intently. My dad even
only 19 years old, I have pulled out a video camera
spent countless hours and filmed as my Papaw
studying, reading, and spoke, so we could capture
listening to others speak his memories and keep
about history and its them forever. This is the
importance in our lives. moment when I realized
When I think back to my just how important history
childhood school days in is, not only to our past tales of love, struggle,
history class, my memories but also to our present. loss, joy, and so much
are flooded with a myriad History helps us develop more. Listening to my
of names and dates a better understanding grandfather’s stories that
attached to events long of the world, for without day opened my eyes to
over, featuring people long the stories and lessons of the importance of learning
dead. What was the point the past, how would we about history, and his past
of learning it all? Why did ever learn to approach the encouraged me to dive
it matter so much that I future? History paints a deeper than the surface
knew when Christopher detailed picture of how when studying it myself.
Columbus crossed the society came to be, how Building our knowledge
Atlantic to “discover” it has grown, and how and understanding
America? Why did it we, as humans, have of historical events
matter that I understood blossomed into who we and figures enables us
why the Patriots of are today. History helps to develop a greater
the American colonies us understand ourselves, appreciation for those
fought so hard to gain and it is a valuable tool for who went before us. So, I
their freedom from Great understanding those who encourage you to ask your
Britain’s tyrannical rule? are different from us. We older family members
It all seemed so pointless, know that every person questions about their
until one day my questions has a unique heritage, pasts, talk to friends about
were answered in a single ancestry, and upbringing. their life experiences,
afternoon. The only way to live fully and read plenty of books
is to learn from those who because, as Marcus
I was sitting in the came before us and to Garvey so famously said,
backyard of my Great- remember who they were. “A people without the
Aunt Jo’s house, having knowledge of their past
lunch with my family History is more than just history, origin and culture
and talking with my a living record of people is like a tree without
Great-Grandfather, and dates. It is the woven roots.”
affectionately known as story of us, packed with

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