That's my motto, and I'm sticking to it...
"I am my father's daughter".
Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth (1998)
Those five words, I find, are quite powerful. Whether or not they were actually spoken by the Queen, herself, or cooked up by a group of writers huddled around a small table in the wee hours of the night, they certainly make a bold statement. Elizabeth the First, being challenged from every angle by those who would dispose of her simply because she was a woman, was not about to skulk away because of fear or intimidation. She was the child of Henry VIII - a man of great power, and as the old adage goes, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree".
This makes me think about my own family tree. My sister has delved into the genealogical history, and found lots of neat things. For instance, I am related to Robert Dudley (who was Queen Elizabeth's favorite - for a while), and somewhere down the line there's Robert E. Lee and Dwight Eisenhower. I must say, I'm proud of my lineage. Way (way way way) back I come from noble stock... there's Mr. Dudley and Edward III ... I'm mostly of British decent; English, Welsh, and primarily Scottish. My maiden name is McMullan, which has changed over the years, and is still misspelled often. At one time, it was MacMillan - and "MacMillan" has a Coat of Arms and a motto. (Are you impressed, yet?)
Not a lot of last names do have a motto... those things typically belonged to the folks in charge... I'm quite proud of it, you know.
The McMullan (or, MacMillan) motto is "Miseris Succuerre Disco" ... and, no, it does not have anything to do with the 70's dance music movement. It means "I learn to succour the distressed"... which couldn't be more true of my lineage, when I think about it. In my immediate family, I have a nurse, a teacher and a soldier ... and there's me - I spend my days looking after homeless animals. My children, especially my daughter, like to help people in need (particularly those of the four-legged variety). My grandmother taught schoolchildren for many years, and she and her husband (along with my parents) are members of the Lion's Club, and do a lot of work for their community. My aunt is a minister, who goes above and beyond to help those in need. I remember my grandfather, after he retired, spent many hours in his woodshop making dollhouses and toys to give to children ... (that, and it was a great way to smoke a pipe where my grandmother wouldn't catch him... although, I'm sure she knew about it).
As much as I hate to ask for help, I know that nine times out of ten, if I ask a family member for assistance, no matter how big or small, the answer will be "Sure, how can I help?" It's in our blood. Personally, I love the feeling I get when I can help someone out... even if it's just some words of encouragement, or making a poopy kennel clean. I know I can't help someone financially (I say this as I eat my one dollar Michelina's meatloaf for dinner) but, I am more than willing to assist someone any way I can. I'm the kind of person that gently carries a dying butterfly over to a flower in a small patch of grass, rather than leave it on the pavement to be crushed by an oncoming car, or move a creepy spider outside via a sticky Starbuck's cup, instead of squashing the poor thing. It's almost as though I'm drawn to it, and I often wonder if it's genetic (don't laugh, it's possible). Could there be some biological reason that I have so many compassionate people in my parentage? Were my ancestors like this? Am I my father's daughter? You bet your bippy, I am.
I'm my mother's daughter, too. I come from a long line of very strong and intelligent women. My mother's side of the family is also from northern Europe ... mostly English, some Welsh and a little German and French. Also, very compassionate people. Artistic, too. I have a brass rubbing done by my grandmother's cousin, Jane, of Eleanor De Bohun - I'm related to her, as well. Jane died before I was born, but I'm told by her sister that she was riding the metro in London with a vial of perfume in her pocket that broke that day, and she made Westminster Abbey smell good for several hours. (this was back in the '50's, brass rubbings are no longer permitted, as they damage the piece). Jane had complications during her own childbirth that caused her to have a limp for the rest of her life, but she didn't let that slow her down. She was stylish and gregarious, and I wish I'd met her... she seems like such an interesting person to me.
I strongly urge you, dear reader, to do a little research. Talk to your elders. Search the Internet. Go through the ol' family bible. Sure, it may be a lot of work, but whatever the circumstances, family is important... and, to me, it's significant to live up to one's name. What's your family motto?
Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth (1998)
Those five words, I find, are quite powerful. Whether or not they were actually spoken by the Queen, herself, or cooked up by a group of writers huddled around a small table in the wee hours of the night, they certainly make a bold statement. Elizabeth the First, being challenged from every angle by those who would dispose of her simply because she was a woman, was not about to skulk away because of fear or intimidation. She was the child of Henry VIII - a man of great power, and as the old adage goes, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree".
This makes me think about my own family tree. My sister has delved into the genealogical history, and found lots of neat things. For instance, I am related to Robert Dudley (who was Queen Elizabeth's favorite - for a while), and somewhere down the line there's Robert E. Lee and Dwight Eisenhower. I must say, I'm proud of my lineage. Way (way way way) back I come from noble stock... there's Mr. Dudley and Edward III ... I'm mostly of British decent; English, Welsh, and primarily Scottish. My maiden name is McMullan, which has changed over the years, and is still misspelled often. At one time, it was MacMillan - and "MacMillan" has a Coat of Arms and a motto. (Are you impressed, yet?)
Not a lot of last names do have a motto... those things typically belonged to the folks in charge... I'm quite proud of it, you know.
The McMullan (or, MacMillan) motto is "Miseris Succuerre Disco" ... and, no, it does not have anything to do with the 70's dance music movement. It means "I learn to succour the distressed"... which couldn't be more true of my lineage, when I think about it. In my immediate family, I have a nurse, a teacher and a soldier ... and there's me - I spend my days looking after homeless animals. My children, especially my daughter, like to help people in need (particularly those of the four-legged variety). My grandmother taught schoolchildren for many years, and she and her husband (along with my parents) are members of the Lion's Club, and do a lot of work for their community. My aunt is a minister, who goes above and beyond to help those in need. I remember my grandfather, after he retired, spent many hours in his woodshop making dollhouses and toys to give to children ... (that, and it was a great way to smoke a pipe where my grandmother wouldn't catch him... although, I'm sure she knew about it).
As much as I hate to ask for help, I know that nine times out of ten, if I ask a family member for assistance, no matter how big or small, the answer will be "Sure, how can I help?" It's in our blood. Personally, I love the feeling I get when I can help someone out... even if it's just some words of encouragement, or making a poopy kennel clean. I know I can't help someone financially (I say this as I eat my one dollar Michelina's meatloaf for dinner) but, I am more than willing to assist someone any way I can. I'm the kind of person that gently carries a dying butterfly over to a flower in a small patch of grass, rather than leave it on the pavement to be crushed by an oncoming car, or move a creepy spider outside via a sticky Starbuck's cup, instead of squashing the poor thing. It's almost as though I'm drawn to it, and I often wonder if it's genetic (don't laugh, it's possible). Could there be some biological reason that I have so many compassionate people in my parentage? Were my ancestors like this? Am I my father's daughter? You bet your bippy, I am.
I'm my mother's daughter, too. I come from a long line of very strong and intelligent women. My mother's side of the family is also from northern Europe ... mostly English, some Welsh and a little German and French. Also, very compassionate people. Artistic, too. I have a brass rubbing done by my grandmother's cousin, Jane, of Eleanor De Bohun - I'm related to her, as well. Jane died before I was born, but I'm told by her sister that she was riding the metro in London with a vial of perfume in her pocket that broke that day, and she made Westminster Abbey smell good for several hours. (this was back in the '50's, brass rubbings are no longer permitted, as they damage the piece). Jane had complications during her own childbirth that caused her to have a limp for the rest of her life, but she didn't let that slow her down. She was stylish and gregarious, and I wish I'd met her... she seems like such an interesting person to me.
I strongly urge you, dear reader, to do a little research. Talk to your elders. Search the Internet. Go through the ol' family bible. Sure, it may be a lot of work, but whatever the circumstances, family is important... and, to me, it's significant to live up to one's name. What's your family motto?
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