My Heritage
Sadie Elliott

I am from a daughter of daughters who choose to be mothersówho loved, and held, and taught their daughters the art of keeping a home. From brown-haired, smiling mothers unafraid to instruct, correct, and cherish their children.

I am from a simpler life, with apron strings, sudsy dishes, and well-swept floors, where the laughter of little children echoed down the halls. From a time when family was placed above work, prestige, and social expectations, and children were a gift from above.

I am from cherished childhood books: Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, The Boxcar Children, and Little House on the Prairie. Books that encouraged people to value each other and the world around them, and to write! From the reading and re-reading of women authors: Austen, Elliott, Montgomery, and Alcott.

I am from a white, 70 year old house, with green trim, picture windows, and hardwood floors, where bread was always baking, and the notes of soft music filled the air. From the feel of soft sheets and the gleam of sun through lace trimmed curtains.

I am from the secret passage way of childhood games of hide and seek, pioneers, Indian summers, and climbing trees covered with pitch, played in the backyard, and in a neighborhood filled with friends. From girlhood songs, ripe blackberry bushes, and the tickle of grass under bare feet.

I am from blackberry cobbler, homemade pancakes, and dadís special spaghetti, served on a far-away great auntís china dishes with an oriental design on days that were special. From hand-washed dishes, crunch granola snacks, and a fisher-price play kitchen for practice.

I am from wild roses and peonies, bright pink, light pink, sweet smelling fragrance wafting over the fence, and tumbling into our yard, sprouting up between the gravel pathways and English gardens. From lilac trees of purple and white, and bamboo hedges and pathways mowed in backyard grass.

I am from daddyís hands lifting children up into the front seat of a car, and taking them to nearby parks to play. From fathers who loved and led and cherished the joy their wives and children brought to their lives and werenít afraid to say ìI love you.î

I am from Sunday evenings of popcorn, apples, oranges and watching old-time musical movies, curled up together on the couch, wrapped up in family quilts. I am from Browning, Rice, McElrath, Chavez and Elliott traditions, all bundled together in one. From tea drinkers, popcorn garland makers, and the smell of caramelized oven roasts and mashed potatoes on holidays.

I am from a family of faith, from gospel songs and bible stories, dinner time and good night prayers, a family that believes in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. From the sound of whispered memory verses, pews, early rising on Sunday mornings, and special Easter dresses and bonnets.

I am from women who lived and loved deeply, who werenít afraid to feel, and who have loved learningósmart, opinionated, graceful, creative, witty lovers of life. From women who write in the margins of books and keep journals and poetry, play piano and sing songs while they work.

I am from the phrases my mother said, ìwalk like a fairy, not like an elephantî and ìquick like a bunnyî that encouraged my sisters and I to be graceful and diligent. From the careful and loving arms that encircled four daughters and prayed diligently that they would be a blessing to others.

I am from walls and halls filled with family photos, from worn scrap-book pages with sienna visions of past generations, from slideshows and video recorded movies highlighting mothers, fathers, and little hands and feet growing older. I am from memory keepers and family historians who preserve the living memory of generations. From the well-loved traditions and keepsakes, mantle clocks and devotional books that keep the time long past.