A Turning Heart

Besides the fact that it was just awesome to index my grandparent's and great grandparent's names, a few other  things have come from that.  One of those things is greater gratitude for the lives those ancestors lived.  Seeing their names, occupations, neighbors etc. has spurred questions, that with answers, have turned my heart to these paternal great grandparents----which has brought greater appreciation for them and the lives they lived.

My great grandpa, James Adam Chadwick, lived next to his brother Earl in 1940.  I knew a few of Earl's children as adults---most not active in the church.  On the other hand, the children of James and Minnie are quite active.  I wondered why.  My dad was able to explain that the Chadwicks had a history of alcoholism in the family---in fact, James's father died of alcoholism about the age of 40.  However, James had made a conscious choice to not live that lifestyle.

With the lens of time, one can see the impact of that single decision on posterity.  I don't know how easy it was for James to make that change or what other 'baggage' came with having that in his history, but that singular decision has impacted well over 1,000 descendants for good.  How thankful I am!  I couldn't help but think about that when I read this from Elder Holland's talk in April conference (by the way, I find that whole talk a wonderful masterpiece):
 Even if [a generational grievance] did not originate with you, it can end with you. And what a reward there will be for that contribution when the Lord of the vineyard looks you in the eye and accounts are settled at the end of our earthly day.


We hear of leaving a small carbon footprint on the earth,  but we rarely hear of leaving a large generational footprint.  But that is what Grandpa Chadwick left.  How blessed I am for the decision and courage of James Adam Chadwick!

Now just a few side notes that jumped out at me when I reread Grandpa Chadwick's history:

Ezra Taft Benson's father, George, was called on a mission when Ezra T was 13 years old and Orval a young boy.  His mother needed help running the farm, so my Grandpa and Grandma Chadwick, newly married, moved into a room in the Benson home to run the farm.  As a grown man, Orval commented that James Chadwick was like a father to him.  To think that my great grandpa had a small impact on Prophet Benson is humbling.

It was said that James Chadwick was never idle.  Supposedly if he found one of his children sitting idle he would ask them if they had anything better to do.  If they did not, he provided a job.  Surely he must be disappointed with me and how I am raising my children.  My family and I must learn to love work more than we do.  I think that in part, the hard work of past generations is what built their faith.  (See this semi-related post.)  Surely that is motivation to try to improve.

How thankful I am for this wonderful blessing from indexing!