KITH AND KIN
Once we were great, great enough to be recognized by a king. We fought for him, exhibited valor and courage — our proud necks unbent in the face of tyranny. The war was won, we lived well and free. In the end, the war did not conquer us. Marriage did. The subtle defeat made through deceit and the machinations of powerful men. Our courage no longer mattered, our valor of no use. We were pushed out to make room for sheep. SHEEP!
The bickering and fighting of our people were legendary, but we would not add more fuel to the fire that would destroy our way of life. North, we traveled, plying our courage to the sea. Diminished to three brothers, we fought to survive. The rumors of hope and of prosperity wafted through the stench of whale blubber and tar. America held riches for those with the courage to take them. And Courage we had.
We saved the ship, took command from the fool captain before he would break upon the rocks. Arriving amid a cacophony of explosions and fire, we mistook the celebration of independence for yet another war. We docked in Albany, New York on July 4, 1864.
Go west young men for there you will find whiskey, women, and gold. We had a son in Wisconsin, found a home in Oregon. Along the Willamette we flourished, but as America gave us opportunity, she began to rob us of our identity. We lost the brogue and valued our origins less — the telling of stories, of the old ways, and our values. Courage and valor we could still find, and our sons signed on for the Second World War.
We made it back. The brood made a pact to not interfere with one another’s children. We drifted apart. We lost more memories and stopped gathering. We crippled our children with this disservice. Our greatest strength, the source of our courage and valor was the bond we had with each other.
Recognizing the failures of the past and wanting to restore the kith and the kin to their former glory, one holds a hopeful dream alight for all: reestablish their love and connection to each other; fuel the courage which had inspired a kin; reteach the lessons and remember the values of the past. In short, become a family, once again. The damage was not done to us all at once, it takes intentions of the many to realize the dream. Traditions must be re-instated, values instilled, and find the memories once lost.
The future is founded upon the desire to become a family again, one strong enough to produce courage and valor. Amongst themselves, they must gather the will to support each other, survive and thrive by throwing their lots in together. Let the next ten generations speak of the revival, the founding of trust and dedication to one another. Let the generations come to know the names, tell the stories. Create pride, courage, and valor. Remind the future generations that mercy is not a weakness. With a united front, a family will appear good enough to be recognized by kings.
A DESCENDANT OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, JACOB WILLIAM HARPER IS FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. HE IS A VORACIOUS READER AND ASPIRING WRITER.
