CDA Cares, Service and Reflections

 Yesterday, I had the opportunity to do volunteer work with the California Dental Association.  Twice a year, they provide free dental work to those who cannot afford dental care in the state of California.  Not only do their services include cleanings and fillings, but they also include extractions, dentures and partials.  Over 800 dentists, hygienists, technicians and dental students were there.  In addition, hundreds more volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and others provided other needed services. It was an amazing thing to watch as a "hive" of workers, came together to help repair and restore smiles.

I worked as an escort.  I took patients who had gone through the medical triage, examination and x-rays over to another building where treatments were being given.  My walk from one building and back was equivalent to one lap around a track.  I worked from 5am to 11am and I walked a lot of miles but it was all for a good cause.

I got to talk with a lot of people yesterday as I escorted them from one building to the next.  They  were anxious but so grateful to have dental work done even if that meant having some teeth pulled.  One woman told me she had been suffering from tooth pain.  Her sister called her and told her about the free care and so she came.  She had to wait hours to get her tooth pulled but she was grateful.  Another woman told me she had lost most of her teeth due to Methadone use.  She had a lot of regret over the choices she had made earlier in her life and was not looking forward to having more dental work as a result of those choices.

I have done a lot of reflecting about my experience yesterday.  I was given an opportunity to talk with, work with and show care and concern to people I would otherwise have never interacted with.  It touched my heart.  It also reminded me of the Savior. He loved for ALL mankind, the leper, the lame, the poor and meek in spirit.  He turned away none, but gave love to all and an opportunity to be healed through Him.  It has given me much to think about and reflect on.  I am grateful for those six hours and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve others.

Life's Lessons

2 weeks ago my second grade class received a cup of caterpillars.  We have watched the miracle of metamorphosis as tiny caterpillars grew and formed chrysalides.  We have marveled at the transformation that occurs as a caterpillar sloughs off its body and turns into something new, and we have eagerly awaited the emergence of the butterflies.

Today we watched one of the butterflies struggle to break free of its chrysalis.  We all gathered around and stood watching this miraculous event.  In the struggle however, it became apparent that something was wrong.  I settled the kids into their desks and got them writing about what they had just witnessed.

Only the abdomen and one wing of the butterfly had emerged.  I could see that one small piece of chrysalis was keeping the butterfly from freeing itself and so I took a small pin and helped break the butterfly free of its prison.  It was obvious that much more was wrong.  The butterflies wings were mangled and one antennae was underneath the body and the tongue was fully extended instead of curled up.  I knew that the butterfly was deformed and would not fully develop and would die.

After a few minutes, I stood in front of the class with tears flowing down my cheeks and explained to them what had happened.  I was surprised and embarrassed by my reaction over such a small thing, but knew that here was an opportunity.  I spoke of nature and how all living things are affected in some way by deformity.  We talked about how lucky we were to have ten toes and fingers and arms and legs that worked properly, and we talked about the importance of respect for all living things.

As the day went on, the little butterfly fell on its back.  No matter how many times we tried to right it, it would not stay.  It was difficult for all of us to watch.  When the students left, I knew I had to release the butterfly from its misery.   As I held it in my hand, I thanked God for the life of this butterfly and for the opportunity to see it emerge right before our eyes and for the lessons it taught us.

I was reminded of a time when my brothers and I as young children brought home Monarch caterpillars from Flathead Lake Montana to watch them turn into butterflies.  When the butterflies hatched, one of them was deformed.  We were all very saddened. As my youngest brother held the poor butterfly in his hand just before we released it,  he turned to my mother and asked: "When I die, will that butterfly come to greet me?"

I have been very tender hearted today over this butterfly, and in fact a little surprised by my emotions.  Today I am grateful for the reminder that ALL living things are a gift from the creator of us all.

Searching

I have never worked on genealogy nor really had a desire to do so.  In preparing for my pilgrimage, I have had a deep desire to find out all I can about  my great great great grandfather Edward.  Why Edward?   He is the farthest back I can go in my Welsh lineage. And so, I began my search.  My search for Edward.  A search that has now become my obsession.

My mother suggested I look for a Welsh archivist  who might be willing to help look into my roots.  How hard could it be?  Very hard!  No matter what combination of words I put into Google, I came up empty.  Empty, except for the fact that I found a website called the Powys Genealogical Society.  They had a contact.  I emailed the contact explaining my upcoming trip to Wales, specifically to the town of Knighton to look for my ancestors and expressed my desire to find an archivist and wondered if there was any way possible they could point me in the right direction.

I received a response from a woman named Jennifer.  She was a genealogist and she would be happy to search for my family.  I thanked her kindly but told her that the cost of my trip had made it prohibitive for me to hire her.  She then explained that she grew up in a town very near Knighton and attended school there.  My interest was piqued, and I was tempted, but I politely turned her down.

I forged forward with new found interest in the unknown world of genealogical research. I began having luck with census records, and marriage certificates, often spending 5 to 7 hours at time, hoping that I would find a baptismal record, or death certificate that would verify my grandfather Edward and his parentage.

 One day, I found a link to the name of a person who had been doing some research on Edward's wife,  Elizabeth.  I sent off an email asking for any information they may have come across re: Edward.  A few minutes later a reply came back.  The reply was from a genealogist who had been hired by another man to research Edward and Elizabeth's lines.  He told me he would ask for permission to share his research.  A few hours passed and permission was granted!  I now had access to pages and pages of research and documentation on Edward and Elizabeth and their children as well as Elizabeth's parents and siblings. I also discovered that the man who hired the genealogist and I had much in common!  Edward and his son Charles Rogers Morgan were both our common grandfather's!

With new found knowledge, my research became more earnest.  Like me, the genealogist was unable to find anything more on Edward.  He did however, have some guesses as to Edward's parentage.

I then began looking at wills to see if I could find anything that might lead me to Edward.  While researching, I thought about Jennifer and of her offer for help.  The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became that my finding her was not a coincidence, rather, she had been placed in my lap.  With the blessing of my father, I contacted her.  I sent her all the documents I had received from the genealogist and told her that hopefully it would shed new light.

Two days later, I received the following reply.  I have included the use of parenthesis to explain to you the reader, the significance of her information.

"Dear suzanne
 
Interestingly one branch of my Morgan family farmed at Farrington ( I had no idea that she had a Morgan line! A possible parentage for Edward lived in the town of Farrington).  I will look it up this weekend.  [not as early as yours]
 
Also my gggrandfather Richard Morgan was born In Llanfihangel Nant melan c1803 to Richard and Mary Morgan. ( Llanfihangel Nant Melan is the birth place of Edward's wife Elizabeth).
 
My sister runs a pub in Llanbister. (Lanbister, is the birthplace of Edward)  Last weekend she had someone staying with her who are researching the Greenwood family. (The Greenwood line is Elizabeth's mothers line)  They want me to do some research but they have not emailed me as yet.
 
Kind regards Jennifer"

You can imagine my surprise.  I was filled with excitement and energy I found it difficult to sleep that night. 

What an interesting journey I am on! I can hear Edward in my dreams.  He urges me onward.  Onward to the past, and forward to my future.