Pondering our Losses in 2013

Saturday, November 16, 2013

We need to acknowledge that AAGGKY has lost two of our Charter Members this year. We all should pause for a few minutes and think of our own losses and what a void they will leave. Dr. Ann Butler (1948-2013) was a walking, talking wealth of knowledge who was always seeking and unearthing something  interesting and new. She encouraged us to seek and find the proof. She opened our eyes to historical accounts that had been long over looked or taken for granted. She was always working on a new project.

The second member was Willie Mitchell (1940-2013), our President's husband, was a wonderful supporter of our causes. He helped launch this organization. I know he was a good listener. I am sure our President ran a lot of the pros and cons by him daily. He was a great source for knowing who was who around our “neck  of the woods". He helped us make various local connections. He knew just about everyone!

Again, as we think of these two losses, we must be grateful for the time we had with them and the knowledge they shared with us.

Looking to the future, AAGGKY needs to decide where we go from here and how we going to grow in the next few years.  
What is our agenda going to be?
What is AAGGKY going to sponsor or mentor or share with the future ancestors?
How are we going to keep telling the stories? 
We must correct and prove our histories and pass them on to the next generation. So much has already been lost. We still have other Anne Butlers and other Willie Mitchells to listen to and to learn from.  We must keep sharing our stories.

One family’s little steps could knock down a brickwall of another family’s search.
                                                                                                                  -Pam Collins Reaves