When I was younger, I didn’t pay attention to the stories my grandparents and parents shared about family, but the older I get the more I wished I had. I’ve come to appreciate all the generations of people who came together to make me who I am. Reading this chart on Ancestral Mathematics was a great reminder.
Not only did it get me thinking about my immediate family but about those who are nameless to me. I started looking through some old photos, which I love to do. I wish I knew all the stories behind the pictures.
The conclusion that I came to was that a lot of people are part of my story. It’s a bit mind bending.
![](https://ionamorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_5239-1-rotated.jpg)
The next part gets a bit trickier with eight great-grand parents. I have photos of two and several great aunts. I’ve learned my great grandfather on my dad’s side owned a large ranch in Texas. The rest of those numbers are names only for me.
![](https://ionamorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_5244-768x1024.jpg)
my mom’s side.
No matter how I look at it I didn’t just happen. A lot of unique individuals went into the possibility for me to exist. And just because I love old photos here are few more of family and those I love.
My mom and dad as kids.
My great grandfather, his wife and two daughters and son who is the baby. He was my dad’s father. I think you get the general idea.
![](https://ionamorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screenshot_2014-06-26-19-52-14-1-576x1024.png)
Which brings me to me, my siblings, and the math goes on.
Seniors in high school and yet to meet.
![](https://ionamorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2433-rotated.jpg)
![](https://ionamorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/photo-147.jpg)
![](https://ionamorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0735-1024x683.jpg)
You’ve got to love the magic of life. We are all connected and not as different as we like to think. In a world that often can be mean kindness matters and love wins.