Ode to my family.

I like shocking people with my Hispanic heritage because you can't tell by looking at me that any Mexican blood runs through my veins. I'm the whitest one at my Handy family reunions other than my sister Stephanie (ha ha).

So I don't really look like my family at all...so what?
Well other than believing I come from a random milk man (which I don't!) I looked a little more into it.

My maternal grandparents ( the Hispanic ones I never really knew because they died before my working memory) are pure Scandinavian. A sign that reads"You can always tell a Norwegian but you can't tell him much"  hangs proudly on their wall.

They make yearly pilgrimages up to North Dakota to visit their old haunting grounds, friends, and relatives. They use to send us home with lefse and put mayonnaise on their peanut butter sandwiches. Ok, that last part may just be because my grandpa liked his mayo...still not sure about that one.

Last time I got to visit them I looked a little closer in their photo albums trying to learn more about the family I resemble the most.

Wow. This year will mark their 59th wedding anniversary. I wonder what my Dad thinks about them being married for almost his ENTIRE LIFE. Did you know the president sends you a letter on your 50th wedding anniversary? Yeah. He does. But only if you are THAT cool.

This is my Grandmother's Senior Picture

She was a nurse, ya know. I believe she was a nurse in the war. Which war? I don't really know. But maybe it was the same war my grandpa fought in.

Korea I believe. Then they married :-) And all sorts of pictures like this abounded

Sure, life wasn't always happy for them. But it was happy most of the time. They moved to Texas because my grandmother hated the snow- just like ME! We would have Christmas with them when I was little and my grandpa would always say you need to invent chocolate microwave popcorn. Then you can retire.

He still asks if I have done that yet.

They don't have the internet- don't tell them ok?

Point is I have a pretty cool family.














And when people ask me who I look like....

                                                                                       I'll proudly say my grandma.

And if you want to see the great people you're related to ask your parents or find your family tree here

It's so easy to forget about how cool your family is when you move away. Then people wonder why you are the way you are. You think about it for a little bit then come across something like this:

Who ARE these weirdos?

Oh yeah,they are my weirdos!

And everything starts to make sense again.

Because living with my family sure has helped me become who I am. A host of pictures can't tell all the good and not so good memories that have come from this. 

Hey Nick, remember that one time we used to strap Diamond Belle to her harness and she would pull you on roller skates all over the neighborhood? She was so happy even though she wore holes in her little footpads. Then remember how we put ointment on her feet and had to tie socks to them?

Or Steph, you remember how we would paint boxes and you taught me art? Shade shade shade we love to shade. 

Hey Dad, remember that card we got you with a monkey on it that is in Spanish and how you have it hung up in your bathroom. 

That's right. Guess we do care about each other. (Dude, do you know how long it took me to remember things that happened longer than 5 years ago? No more head trauma for me or I'll forget EVERYTHING!)

Anyway, when I forget about where I came from, generally, I'm unhappy and that cannot be more true of when I forget that I am a daughter of God. And that we are all children of God. It is amazing what that little bit of knowledge will do for your perspective on life and how much a difference it makes knowing that the Supreme Creator has a very special interest in your life because you are his family.

Try not to forget that ok?

I promise it will make your day better. Just think about it a little bit- God loves you and he remembers you.

"So when I make big mistake
When I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowin'
I will be just fine
'Cause nothin' changes who I am "

Jessica Andrews-just fyi this is from a country song 

Cause that is how I roll

Word to Mama the hut.