One advantage is the fresh perspective they bring on the growth and development of my children.

My wife and I often worry that my son isn’t eating enough and grow concerned that is STILL weighs only 50 pounds (for what seems like 18 months now). Watching him play hockey three times a week, we often lose sight of how much better he gotten since last March. Similarly, my daughter’s progress at the drums is much more noticeable to those who see her monthly than to those of us who attend every lesson and hear her practice daily.

As much as I wish we could be together more often, I appreciate the attention our infrequent visitors bring upon the progress and accomplishments of my children. They are great kids and are deserving of recognition and praise. While I would like to give them their due, I sometimes lose sight of just how hard they work and how well they do.

So, this Christmas, I got the extra gift of a fresh perspective… and it was one of the best gifts I got.

One hundred and twenty three years later, my son began a project on family and heritages.  What would a 10 year old think of his heritage? Would it be difficult for him to imagine what life was like during that time?  The story of his great-great grandparents was the same as so many Americans during that time – traveling westward to get a piece of their own American dream.  Many died, and many others turned back. But his great-great-grandparents endured the trip, and eventually settled in North Dakota.

Luckily, my Grandmother had written down her research on her parent’s travels, so my son was able to read about their adventures. I have to admit, I was much more into this slice of history than my son.  However, his interest peaked when he made the connection that lefse was from Norway (lefse is a Norwegian flatbread made of potatoes – a recipe I learned from my Grandmother which my kids love to eat today). He also thought that his 3-times Great-Grandmother’s name “Gro”, was a very strange name. I explained to him that according to my Grandmother, Gro hated her name and made her children promise not to name any of their children after her.  He also tried to imagine living in a house without a floor, since the Gullickson’s lived in what was called a ‘sod’ house and they couldn’t afford the wood for the floor.

I have a renewed respect for my heritage and I hope Logan does as well. Our ancestors took great risk during their lifetimes in the name of a better future for themselves and their children.  It’s a piece of his history that I hope he takes with him through his life.  I know I surely will.