With 2022 behind us and 2023 ahead, how far back in your family tree can you go? Read on for my thoughts on this question, and let me know yours.

There are plenty of websites for people to look up their family tree, who they are related to, and things of that nature. This past week, Edward Norton found out he’s related to Pocahontas. Go figure! Have you signed up for any of these services to see who you’re related to and the stories behind your family tree?

I have not partaken in any family-tree services, and I don’t intend to do so. I know that my family from Italy grew up in Abruzzo and Sicily (Palermo). One of my relatives was the mayor of a town in Italy for many years. As a young child, I met my great-grandparents, and I still have grandparents.

I’m fortunate that my family is so close, and I love them all. However, I would never say I have Italian pride. To paraphrase George Carlin, why would you be proud of some genetic trait you can’t control? People aren’t proud of having brown hair or blue eyes (or at least they shouldn’t be). I’d rather be proud of my accomplishments or those of my child than my DNA.

While knowing about one’s family tree is nice, it shouldn’t define who we are. Rather than put too much focus on the past, we should embrace the present and strive to achieve something great in our lifetimes. That’s what matters. This way, when someone looks up your family tree and learns about you, they’ll be blown away by the life you lived.

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