Somewhere in Me

I experienced a bit of an aha moment the other evening as I sat listening to the acclaimed Canadian tenor John McDermott. I wanted to share the experience because it relates to my writing inspiration. He presented a song titled, “Somewhere in me”, with a repeating line of “Somewhere in me there is you.” The song talks about how his parents influenced who he is today. As I listened I realized that this is why I am intrigued by and write stories of historical fiction inspired by real people. As I research, I find pieces of myself, or other family members, that were carved by the past and bear remembering. The stories I choose to turn into novels bear lessons that are not only important for me. As they say, we need to understand and remember history if we wish to avoid repeating it.

               After researching both A Ring of Promises and Promise of the Bluebell Woods I realized that Canada, and more generally North America, was not the Promised Land it was touted to be. Our ancestors were often given to understand that a better life awaited them if they immigrated. It was not always true. In fact, it was often far from true. And in the case of Will Parker even the government played a roll in using the immigrant labour force in a way that was not in their best interests.

               Somewhere in you is the hard work and perseverance and untold stories of your ancestors. Why not dig a little and find out what stories lie beneath the surface? You don’t have to write them like me. But you should collect them and save them in a way future generations will be able to consume them. Once you are gone no one else will know the truth and I guarantee someone will care about the life you lived.

Another reason I write these stories is to resolve my frustration about all the stories of my ancestor’s lives that I will never really know. There are so many missing truths that I am compelled to resolve my own frustration by blending what I do know with one possible way it might really have happened. This is why I wrote my Guide to Family History Interviewing. You should have gotten a copy when you signed up for my blog but if not please drop me a note through my contact page on www.mariegage.ca and I’ll be sure to send it.

Now please go and make sure you capture the story of your life or the life of someone in your family in a way that can be passed down. If the Family History Interview makes you uncomfortable, then choose another way. Use a photo album with better explanations than just the pictures. Create a scrapbook. Write a diary. Tell your grandchildren a real bedtime story about something that happened in your life and audio record it.

Choose the way that is easiest for you and find a way to preserve it. It’s important. Your life is important, and it will matter to people in the future even if you don’t realize it today. Our world is made up of people just like you and I. The war Rod and Pearl (in Promise of the Bluebell Woods) lived through wasn’t won by them alone. It was won by the collective action of many brave people. Some gave their lives and others lived to tell about it so it wouldn’t be repeated.

Somewhere in Me sung by John McDermott can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_sKmQ8j3Io