Note: This article by David Castleton was published previously on the Granite Family History blog site.

A few weeks before Christmas last year one of my sons approached me and asked me what I would like for Christmas. As a parent you appreciate the inquiry but know all the demands on young families. Most years I give the same response, “just a card and a picture of your family.” Last year, however, I had a unique burst of inspiration and came up with a response that surprised even me.

“What I would really like is an opportunity to share with all of my children and grandchildren some of the things I have learned about family history.” My son looked at me with a look of bewilderment as to what I was talking about. I explained, “I would like to have a 30 minute Zoom meeting once a month for six months with the entire family where I can share with them family history experiences.”

My son never said anything further and I soon forgot about the request thinking it may have been a request that was impossible to deliver. To my surprise, at our 2020 family Christmas party our children handed me a beautifully wrapped present. As I anxiously untied the ribbon and pulled back the wrapping I found a beautiful picture my daughter had painted in watercolors showing a host of ancestors who had passed on. At the bottom of the picture were the words, “We are committed to learn about family history,” with the signatures of all the kids and grandkids. My eyes were filled with tears as they explained who the individuals in the picture represented. I never dreamed my request would be fulfilled, especially in such a meaningful way.

As promised, my children and grandchildren joined in on a Zoom call once a month for six months. What a blessing that was for me to have the opportunity to express my love and appreciation for the many family history opportunities available to us today and to share with them some ideas that I know will bless their lives. As I look back at the gifts my children have given me over many years, last year’s gift had to be the best gift ever.

–David Castleton – Director – Granite Family History Center