ON THINKING OF ANCESTORS By Jess Wilson When we consider that we have two parents, four grandparents, eight great grand parents, ad infinitum, we realize that if we continue this thinking, we soon arrive at a number of ancestors that is greater than the population of the people on this earth at that time. Then we realize that if within the multitude there was one individual that was someone else than who they were, we would also be someone other than who we are. It is sobering to think that we are who we are as a result of all the happenings to the human race since the beginning. Every war, famine, pestilence, plague, devastation or flea bite that ever happened may have had some bearing on our being born who we are rather than being someone else. Now think of all the pain and suffering endured by our multitude of forebearers, the wounds that were inflicted in wars, the stubbed toes suffered by barefooted children, the labors of child birth and the tortures of being burned alive. Now, consider this: Imagine that in our crowd of ancestors during the 17th century there was one individual that was a captive brought from Africa in the bowels of a stinking slave ship. There chained to lie in their own filth with only enough room to breathe. That individual suffered more hell that all the others put together. Three days nailed to a cross would have been a picnic compared to this and all of it might have happened just so you would be born you and I was born me.

Very well stated, Jess!!! Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: jess wilson To: KYCLAY-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 7:30 AM Subject: [KYCLAY] ON THINKING OF ANCESTORS ON THINKING OF ANCESTORS By Jess Wilson When we consider that we have two parents, four grandparents, eight great grand parents, ad infinitum, we realize that if we continue this thinking, we soon arrive at a number of ancestors that is greater than the population of the people on this earth at that time. Then we realize that if within the multitude there was one individual that was someone else than who they were, we would also be someone other than who we are. It is sobering to think that we are who we are as a result of all the happenings to the human race since the beginning. Every war, famine, pestilence, plague, devastation or flea bite that ever happened may have had some bearing on our being born who we are rather than being someone else. Now think of all the pain and suffering endured by our multitude of forebearers, the wounds that were inflicted in wars, the stubbed toes suffered by barefooted children, the labors of child birth and the tortures of being burned alive. Now, consider this: Imagine that in our crowd of ancestors during the 17th century there was one individual that was a captive brought from Africa in the bowels of a stinking slave ship. There chained to lie in their own filth with only enough room to breathe. That individual suffered more hell that all the others put together. Three days nailed to a cross would have been a picnic compared to this and all of it might have happened just so you would be born you and I was born me.