BETWEEN THE LINES: FAMILES HELP YOU PUT TOGETHER PIECES OF YOUR LIFE

I've been putting the pieces of my family history together somewhat like you do a puzzle.

Sometimes the stories of life get better with age.

In the past few months, I've learned more about my family ancestry than I did when I spent months trying to piece together a family tree through what research and information was readily available.

Many of my relatives left a loose network of information about themselves and their lives so tracing my family heritage has never been an easy task. As a child, I knew some of the family lore but certainly not all of it.

In the past two months, I've heard stories from my mother's father that haven't been told before. Even my mother didn't know her father was asked to play professional baseball until we started talking about Mark McGwire on a recent visit to his home in St. Louis.

But maybe that's what families are about. Learning pieces of information about each other a little at a time. I think I'd be overwhelmed if my entire ancestry was laid before me at one time.

And that's exactly what happened when my dad and his cousins gathered to learn more about their father's father. We have been overwhelmed with information and accounts of his life.

In the course of events, my dad met cousins and other relatives from New York (some he'd never known about until now) and pieced together an image of my great-grandfather that is rather complex. I'm still trying to figure him out, and doubt I'll be able to do so.

Maybe that's what he wanted to leave his heirs: a mysterious life and legacy.

Finding answers is sort of like trying to make sense of my own life. Maybe understanding one's life is a task that is never really complete until death.

As it happens, I've been putting the pieces of my family history together somewhat like you do a puzzle. And in doing so, I've made acquaintance with my relatives by learning their life story not just when and where they lived.

My grandfather is an expert at sharing memories and family stories about deceased relatives. His stories bring the names to life. Of course, his stash of photos helps too.

In his selection of photographs are pictures of wedding and anniversary celebrations. Though black and white, these photographs bring color to life.

Over the weekend I got to share in the life of my great-uncle and aunt who celebrated their Golden Anniversary. Their friends and remaining relatives gathered to hear stories of their lives and celebrate with fine foods.

I've been to my share of weddings and receptions over the past five years and never once did I envision the couple celebrating a Golden Anniversary.

It's not to say that these newlywed friends of mine will not reach such a milestone, but it's an amazing thing to consider: sharing your life with a spouse for 50 years.

I'm glad to know that people still make such a commitment. It sets a good example for the rest of us.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.