Ancestry
There is a surge of COVID-19 across the land. Even so, last night, several dozen descendants of Karin’s father’s parents gathered in the small ancestral house for a Christmas party that had been postponed by December’s storm.
This photo shows representatives of three generations. Daniel sits upon his grandfather. Standing, hunched over, is Daniel’s young granduncle. (I am almost as old as he is.) Finally, there is Daniel’s great-grandfather – Karin’s grandfather. Karin’s generation isn’t represented in the photo.
I ate barbecued meatballs and wieners and bemusedly watched the many children scurry around. Our own boys were shell-shocked by all the relatives and gifts.
Now that we are at home and things have quieted down, Samuel’s favorite present is a miniature basketball hoop-and-balls set given to Daniel. Daniel’s favorite present is a large, plush, green dragon given to Samuel, which Karin has named Draco.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Karin’s grandfather was adopted. Recently, he took a DNA test and learned about some of his biological relations. He spoke last night of Scottish, English, and Irish ancestors. (He used to say he was Hungarian.)
Karin’s mom also was adopted. Much of Karin’s ancestry – and our children’s – is unknown.
As for mine: Mary’s DNA was profiled a few years ago, and it turns out that I and my siblings are largely North African. “Which is hardly surprising,” David said, “when you think of what we share with Mohamed Salah, Zinedine Zidane, et al. …”
This photo shows representatives of three generations. Daniel sits upon his grandfather. Standing, hunched over, is Daniel’s young granduncle. (I am almost as old as he is.) Finally, there is Daniel’s great-grandfather – Karin’s grandfather. Karin’s generation isn’t represented in the photo.
I ate barbecued meatballs and wieners and bemusedly watched the many children scurry around. Our own boys were shell-shocked by all the relatives and gifts.
Now that we are at home and things have quieted down, Samuel’s favorite present is a miniature basketball hoop-and-balls set given to Daniel. Daniel’s favorite present is a large, plush, green dragon given to Samuel, which Karin has named Draco.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Karin’s grandfather was adopted. Recently, he took a DNA test and learned about some of his biological relations. He spoke last night of Scottish, English, and Irish ancestors. (He used to say he was Hungarian.)
Karin’s mom also was adopted. Much of Karin’s ancestry – and our children’s – is unknown.
As for mine: Mary’s DNA was profiled a few years ago, and it turns out that I and my siblings are largely North African. “Which is hardly surprising,” David said, “when you think of what we share with Mohamed Salah, Zinedine Zidane, et al. …”