To be honest, I’m not sure that any of my female ancestors had any major talents outside of homemaking in which to me; is a true talent. I once told a friend of mine, “That no woman was born a good housekeeper.” It is a skill that is taught and mastered at many different skill levels. You have to find a comfortable level for yourself and the stage of life in which you live.

No one can tell you what you’re supposed to do every minute (not that Martha hasn’t tried). But we are none Martha Stewart; she is the Role Model we strive to measure up to, or is measured by. There will always be someone better, at the task at hand; regardless of how good you really are or how good you think you are at something. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying or at least from being good at whatever you choose to do, at the level you choose to do it.

My aunt Jackie is a wonderful singer, but you’ll never hear her perform anywhere. I can’t think of one female relative that made any major achievements, awards or even a simple recognition of the work they’ve done. Hard work and long hours were all they had to show for their time and yet, they were always worried about the on lookers.

I came to realize many years ago that, “People don’t live my life – I do!” So I try to make the most of my time – not to win Fame or even a fake Noble Peace Prize, but to be true to myself. This will make me a famous person, not that I ever wanted to be, but it will make me a great person in my families eyes. That’s all the notoriety that I need.

I always remember that the peanut butter and jelly sandwich didn’t become famous until in 1922. That’s not to say that someone didn’t eat it before that; it wasn’t just popularized. Look at what it means today… it’s one of my all time favorites.

Sometimes we overlook great people and their talents– when we are told who is greater. I try to see talent where others see the mundane. Some people can sing without being famous singers. I’d much rather hear an old southern gospel singer like Peg McKamey sing in a tiny little church – than to hear a trained opera singer in a massive cathedral. But that’s just me. She has local fame, but she isn’t swinging off any branches of my family tree. Sorry Peg!

My mom’s first cousin, we called her “Aunt Sadie” was married 5 times but always retained her maiden name of Ross, she was a member of the Hell’s Angels for a short time – we have pictures. But that’s another story entirely. She was a sassy woman and fun to be around. She didn’t tolerate men that drank or cheated. She only had one son and he was born out of love – a war time romance – not marriage. She had a way to make you feel special and will always shine brightly in my eyes.

Nope… no writers, painters or dignitaries amongst my female ancestors, but to me they’re the most thrilling and amazing women I’ve ever discovered!

Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.

We all grow up with the weight of history on us.  Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies.  ~ Shirley Abbott