Think of It

If only for a minute or two, think of how it came to be that you are here, you are where you are. Four generations of my family live within 15 minutes of each other. A more unusual circumstance these days I would guess. A span of about 86 years covers this slice of the multitude.

My parents would be the senior members of our crew, my sister's newest grandchild the littlest kid on the block. I am aware of how my parents met and courted and married. Same for my sister and her husband. My niece met her husband at college, the details were not part of my watch, but here they are with 4 children.

Three couples gets at the point I am driving at. An incomplete picture to be sure. No, 4 individuals on their paths brought niece and beau into this world. Which means their 8 grandparents, each with stories of meetings and life-decisions and passions. 

Now ease back one more generation, 16 persons of interest relative to the little one crawling about these days. Probably 110 to 120 years ago roughly. Teddy Roosevelt or William H. Taft, or Woodrow Wilson, in the White House--if they were born here in the US when they came along.  

How did those family members with all the twists and turns lives easily confront happen upon one another and make the momentous decision to bring children into their worlds? 

Perhaps along and along the mesmerizing effect of doubling came your way--just one more generation, one more set of stories, 32 strands of decisive moments which if one were missing, you would not be you here and now. Think of it.

But let me lose my mind and mull over 10 generations back, 200+years most likely. Now, you sit as you do because 1024 individuals found the someone they would bring a new life into this world with as part of their stories. Or if you like, your personal heritage, that generation, 512 couples. 

Of course, 200 years or so is nothing, but I'll spare you the arithmetic of a thousand years. Just stare off for a moment, consider the spiral of humanity that is your personal history. Go ahead, just a shake of your head. 

And back to your business at hand.