07/15/2025
A couple summers ago, we went to Ireland and took time to learn more about my ancestors from there. I had a wild natural feeling of being home and felt sad when it was time to leave.
It’s wild the things you learn about yourself and the feelings you get of comfort and home when you find yourself somewhere your ancestors could have walked.
I’m Irish and my eyes would lead me back to the Vikings though I haven’t studied that far back yet, English, and Native American. What have I learned about myself?! Something I’ve always known, I’m tough to core. Some will call it stubborn but I see it as having a strong unwavering sense of self. Knowing what I know now about my ancestors, I know a strong unwavering sense of self led them too.
Currently we’re on the Oregon coast. We learned from our rock climbing guide that many Vikings helped settle Oregon and as we drive, we see so many similarities in the landscape of the coast and the climate to Ireland.
Today I came in after beach combing for an hour with my son and when I looked in the mirror, I thought, “There you are, daughter of Ireland,” wind tasseled hair that does as it pleases, blue grey eyes that change with my surroundings, and freckles that cover my cheeks.
So here I am with a strong sense of self, freckles popping, and that hair doing whatever the h— it pleases. Yep. No make up of filters. This is me.
What about you? What have you learned about yourself that makes more since once you learned where you came from?