Thousands With You

I love this quote from author Linda Hogan:

“Suddenly, all my ancestors are behind me.
‘Be still,’ they say.
‘Watch and listen.
You are the result of the love of thousands.’”

It’s astounding that any of us are here as the precise people we are. We are the result of the love of thousands…. We can think about all the people who most closely share our DNA. We would not exist in the way we do had innumerable lives not included stories with very specific details, leading them to the lives of one another.

But, of course, well beyond DNA, we are shaped by thousands of people whose stories, life outcomes, and forms of wisdom have shaped the course of our own lives. We are also shaped by whole communities of people over time.

“Suddenly, all my ancestors are behind me.
‘Be still,’ they say.
‘Watch and listen.
You are the result of the love of thousands.’”

I take comfort in this. I hope you do too.

–Renee Roederer

I found this quote in a meme that was passed around quite a bit on social media a few years ago. If it was printed somewhere too, and you know where, let me know.