In a message dated 5/22/01 4:41:49 PM, RICMA55 writes: >ANCESTRY > >WHEN SPEAKING OF OUR ANCESTRY, >MY MOTHER'S EYES WOULD SHINE, >AND PROUDLY SHE WOULD TELL US ALL, >YOU'RE OF THE TUDOR LINE. > >BUT FATHER WITH A SMILE WOULD SAY, >"WHILE BEARING THAT IN MIND, >YOU KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOALS AHEAD; >NOT THOSE THAT LIE BEHIND." > >"YOU HAVE A NOBLE ANCESTRY, >BUT ALL ARE DEAD AND GONE, >'TIS YOU WHO HAVE TO PROVE YOUR WORTH, >NOT THOSE WHO'VE JOURNEYED ON, >AND BACK ALONG THAT TUDOR LINE, > >'TIS SORRY TRUTH I STATE, >THERE MAY BE SOME YOU CAN'T APPROVE, >AND EVEN SOME YOU'D HATE. >THE WAY TO PROVE YOUR ANCESTRY, >IS WHAT YOU ARE YOURSELF; >NOT BY THE CHARTED FAMILY TREE, >IN BOOK UPON THE SHELF. > >SO TRY TO BE AN ANCESTOR, >WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED, >OF WHOM YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN, >IN THE FUTURE CAN BE PROUD. > >Anonymous >