Ken Follett is the author of over 30 books of historical fiction, also called “political thrillers”, which have earned him legions of fans worldwide – with books translated into many languages. I just finished the last book in his Century Trilogy – it has set me to thinking about legacies and life stories.
The trilogy (3 books) begins in the Edwardian era, takes readers through the rise of fascism and both the First and Second World Wars as well as Vietnam before finally ending while the world is divided by the Cold War. That would essentially cover a span of 1911 to 1989.
If it was just the historical events I wanted, I could read a boring history outline of the dates on which events occurred – sorry, not interested. And very impersonal. But Follett tells the stories of 5 families forever connected by the world-altering geopolitical events of the twentieth century. He covers their daily living (different families in different countries) and their thinking and strategizing through generations of these families with such amazing detail weaving in the historical events of the times along with how they coped, struggled, survived, died and so much more. And with such depth and detail that I felt I was right alongside them.
It strikes me, as I work on my courses for family history enthusiasts and life story savers, what is the real difference Follett pointed out to me – and how does it impact my view of my work.
While I find it interesting to know the birth, death, addresses, vocations, military service and logistical data on my ancestors, what I REALLY want to know is how they lived….how they navigated the events of their time….and what they would share with me as lessons, insights and maturity they gained along the way.
My grandfather served as a 20-year-old in France in WWI – as I read Follett’s rendition of this era via the families he constructs in America, England, Germany, France and other relevant countries, I think of my grandfather and how he made it through those times. Plus I realized his marriage to my grandmother started as an engagement before he left for the War and the marriage occurred after he returned home (immediately after) – how did the war impact them, I wonder? He was over there with his brothers, as well – something they don’t tend to allow in later wars. I’ve seen the document of his passage by ship to and from France and read his dad’s name in the column as the person to be notified. I wonder how his parents felt with multiple sons in France, in harm’s way.
My father served as a teenager in WWII and in the Korean conflict. I know a bit more about how he handled learning to fly, transporting troops and supplies, and a few “hairy” experiences both he and my father-in-law shared about their Army Air Corps (now known as the Air Force) war service. Wish I had asked a million more questions and dug deeper into their personal thinking and processing at the time of the war and in later review as grandfathers to boys. What would they share with them? …and me?
Of course, reading Follett’s walking of these families through the last of the trilogy books covered over 40 years of my life. I realize how much of his latter history I lived – and how little I have shared my perspective and insights with anyone, especially my family, and more importantly in writing or any format that will outlive me.
I was a senior in a small Texas town high school when the school was “forced” to integrate in 1963. I had been totally unaware of the small black community and school that was just across the tracks off the highway that went to my family’s farm home. Oblivious? Yep. There was only one black student in our senior class and yes, we senior girls had to come down hard on some senior boys who thought it was fun to sing dirty ditties to him. We got it stopped along with the help of other senior boys. His parents had been the Superintendent and teachers at the black school and Robert was bright and capable and had a calm personality. Sure enough, by the end of the year as we went on our senior trip (to Colorado Springs), those same rough boys roomed with Robert and made sure he was included in all activities. And he beat them big time in a “strip poker” game we girls only heard about later.
OK, I get one gold star! I have memorialized in my Life Story photobook my experiences with Jackie, the black girl who joined our basketball team as a junior at the time of the integration. She had learned street basketball but we became friends as we turned out to be the high scorers in most of the games that year. She had to learn to be a team player and there were some rough spots, but we grew into a comfortable relationship – all of us on the team. In return, she taught us such fun things as the “funky chicken” dance which we had to do only in the dressing room since no dancing was allowed in my little town.
And yes, I remember exactly where I was when President Kennedy was shot – as a senior in high school with my girlfriends just driving back from lunch at the Dairy Bee and listening to the radio. We sat in the car crying for the longest time – we all were shocked, saddened and frightened. And it was so terrible that the assassination happened in Texas. And we “loved” President Kennedy.
Even my favorite devotional author, Henry Blackaby, got to jump in on this subject adding to my commitment to saving life stories in the fullest way possible. He pointed out that just as the obedience of one Christian can bring blessing to others (Abraham), the sin of one Christian can bring harm to many others (Achan).
If you remember Achan, he was with the children of Israel who were advancing into the Promised Land experiencing miraculous victory over the city of Jericho and then heading on to the next conquest. To their surprise they met decisive defeat in the next small town they tried to capture, Ai. They were perplexed until they discovered Achan had disobeyed God’s clear command to not keep any possession from Jericho. Achan thought he could hide his sin and it would not affect anyone else. Wrong. There were serious repercussions for others – and for him and his family. The disobedience of one man and his family had paralyzed an entire nation. (Joshua 7:13-26) The lesson? Diligently seek to obey every word from God. You do not know how your disobedience could affect those around you.
This reminder from Blackaby answers the question many ask me about including stories of “black sheep” in the family or mis-deeds or difficult times. The Life Story I just finished with a friend includes the adult abuse in her life which, she shares with me, her kids don’t want to hear about. But it impacted her life, their lives, and shaped her legacy as a Godly, wise and powerful prayer warrior impacting so many other lives which she touched. She had a teenage son who died in her arms – terribly hard! How she handled it, prayed through and after it plus let it build her faith is a powerful part of her spiritual journey – all of that is included as it is a big part of her story. And it will impact generations to come in a Godly way given how she handled the response and lived it out.
Again, Blackaby hit the nail on the head as he shared Job’s story. It, too, involved one man’s struggle to understand the horrendous circumstances in his life and sort out the adversity he was facing. But Job learned that God is the only One who is absolutely trustworthy, and he had come to see God, truly. (Job 42:5) We are blessed to have Job’s life story words recorded in scripture vividly expressing his struggle, his journey, and his revelation.
Best summary of my point is given by Blackaby. Why should you be putting your life story and your ancestors’ stories into the fullest memoir possible sharing the milestones and instructive events? Here it is:
“When you are in the midst of your trials, your Lord will reveal His character to you in ways you never knew. You will experience His strong and comforting presence. Like Job, you will learn that your Lord will remain, even when everyone else abandons you. You will see God more clearly as He takes you through the dark times. Then you will experience God in ways you had previously only heard about from others.”
And you will be blessed. As one friend stated it upon finishing her Life Story “Thanks to the Life Story, I have been more focused on seeing how God has shown up in my life in the past, and can better see his works in the present and hope for the future. I am saved, I am loved, and I am blessed.”
We need to share those dark times and the blessings plus our experience and wisdom that comes through – those personal pieces can be so valuable to immediate and future generations. Stay tuned, I will be in touch more about the “how” part that is rolling around in your mind!
