03-01-22 Bucket List
All of this trauma going on in the world, especially that being caused by Russia, has had me continuing in my search for ‘the other side’ of my family. To recap…I spent my whole life identifying with the French Canadian portion. My Grandad, Ernie Bellavance was a man with an amazing memory and from early on I sat at his side and listened to stories of his youth in and around Radville, Saskatchewan. He was proud of his roots and would bring us yearly to the Radville reunion, usually held in Queen’s Park in New Westminster. He would speak in poetry and French, singing ditties. All of these moments and my name, led me to relate completely to the French Canadian identity only. I grew up in a very multicultural neighbourhood before that was even a phrase. Everyone seemed to have a cultural history and I wanted one as well. Due to the tragedy of my mother and sisters deaths when I was only 3 months old and my young father’s capacity to survive in spite of the trauma, I was never really connected with my Mother’s family. Over the years I found a clipping that my Dad’s Mom, Juanita was a Houghtaling of German decent and that my birth Mom’s family was Polish/Ukrainian. The problem with identifying as any of those things was that kids are cruel. I was often asked if I had a frog in my pocket for ID, there was no way I was going to admit to the other side as the ‘Pollack’ jokes were numerous. I was always curious about that part of the world though. I was given a bunch of paperwork including a copy of my mother’s death certificate which said she was Romanian. Right part of the world but nothing I had heard before. I do find it interesting though as I use Gypsy Fortune Telling cards, had to have them when I saw them. I know it’s new age bunk in many people’s minds but I find solace in them. The abundance of opportunities to have DNA tested led me on a hunt for more connection in the world. I was not disappointed. It seems I am mostly a solid mix of East and West Europe. French and German on one side, Polish and Ukrainian on the other with a sprinkle of the British Isles, Mediterranean and Indigenous thrown in. Funny thing is none of this comes as a huge surprise… I had a number one desire to see Peru (done), next was London and Paris (done, but want to go back), after that, the Mediterranean and Black sea countries, especially Ukraine. I also relate well to Aboriginal Peoples. I was curious to look up the names in my family history and did so on Forebears website. It’s quite fascinating how my mother’s maiden name is predominantly in Ukraine, my Dad’s side is in the US and Canada.
I still want to visit that area, I have hope that the superpowers will end this war before the destruction of much more. Word on the radio today was that Poland has already taken in more than 600,000 refugees. It is heartbreaking watching fathers say goodbye to their children as they go off to serve.
There must be an end to this. I mean this, not in a selfish, I want to tick this off the list but in a stop the insanity kind of way.
triumphgal 