The Pandemic Helped Me Take My Own Advice

Two years ago, COVID stopped me in my tracks. After the pandemic arrived, I spent weeks cancelling my life – presentations, interviews, my book collaboration with another writer, airline reservations and hotel bookings. I was grounded. Forced to stop looking forward, I decided to turn my gaze to the past. This was new for me, and it shouldn’t have been.  In my research I had learned about the power of documenting our history and had been encouraging people to write about their roots – not just for themselves but for those that follow. 

When Wendy Haaf interviewed me for her article on rediscovering passion and purpose, I talked about the value of being introspective. I urged us to write our family history to help future generations “understand more of the richness and wealth of their own legacy.” 

So I took my own advice. This past Christmas my gift to my family was a book documenting our Green family connection to every province and territory in Canada, with some roots going back to the 18th century. It was one of my most appreciated gifts of all time – sure beat the books people have already read or the clothes that don’t quite fit. 

My brother’s response really touched me. He wrote, “This is astounding. I have always despaired that all these bits and pieces of the past would just drift away, but you've made a beautiful time capsule that will sustain and it fills me with joy.”