L. A. McMurray

“Irish Roots and Shoots”

Because everyone is Irish in the month of March.

My father knew our family history well, and I regret not appreciating or taking the time to listen to this information while he was alive. We have some fascinating people in ourtree, including a midwife who gave birth to her son, my great grandfather, while homealone and bracing herself in the doorway. I only use a doorway to climb like spiderman. But that woman, my great-great grandmother was also resourceful, and bartered herservices for better accommodations on the ship while traveling to the United States in1899. This same woman spoke French, Spanish, English, and read and wrote HighItalian. This very woman fell in love with a man who was on course for the priesthood, but true love derailed that plan, much to the dismay of his family, and during theircourtship she became pregnant. And this very same passionate, intelligent, anddetermined woman was the very one my grandmother most despised. Why? For causingthe death of her beloved mother. It’s a fascinating tangled family web we weave.

My roots are mainly deep in the Irish and Scottish regions, with a tweak of Italian andFrench. My father’s ancestors left Ireland in 1847 aboard the Lucitania. They settled inthe Ohio river area, some on the Ohio side and others in West Virginia. Their familyCoat of Arms/Motto: “Virtute Fideque” means by virtue and faith. We had familymembers who fought in the civil war for the North and the rest of the details regardingour family tree are as convoluted as that war.

In my first book I talk about discovering Celtic spirituality and the impact it had on myspiritual growth. A whole new world opened once I learned to revere nature andexperience the Divine presence in all creation, honor ancestors, use storytelling, music, and poetry to deepen spiritual connections. It was and is open-minded, whimsical, ongoing, and values the feminine and mystery of the universe.

In my next book I explore hobbies, one popular pastime is genealogy. Many havelearned facts never known before or connected with relatives they never knew existed. Others discovered that certain history is best left buried. Hobbies often end when theperson passes, however there are some exceptions. Youngstown classic car club’scurrent president is the daughter of long-time members and classic car enthusiasts.

When I titled this month’s theme “Roots and Shoots” I looked up the term to make sureit was appropriate. The search took me to RootsAndShoots.org, a youth organizationprogram with the Jane Goodall Institute, where their founder, Dr. Jane Goodallfamously said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind ofdifference you want to make.” This program is “a global movement for youth to use theirvoice and actions to make compassionate decisions to influence and lead to change in their communities. This organization focuses on creating a world where animals, people, and the environment thrive together, and inspire everyone to embrace their individualpower to make a difference.”

Thinking about it, roots hold a plant in place and are nourished by water and nutrients. Those roots connect to shoots (stems) which become branches, leaves, and flowers. Ourfamily roots ground us, and our offspring grow the family forest.