Chin Up

I love the TV Show, "Who Do You Think You Are?" It makes you think about your roots, not that I need a prompt but, life is so busy, I'm happy to have a reminder to think back.

Recently, I've started recording the US version and last week, I went on a journey with Rosie O'Donnell.  You can't help but warm to Rosie, of course I knew of her, I've seen her work both as an actress and as a talk show host but I hadn't retained an opinion.  Rosie has that, hard, New York, take me or leave me, but don't even think about messing with me, demeanour, but she is very easy to warm to.

As Rosie knew, she has strong Irish roots and she ended her journey, after a surprising detour via Canada, in Ireland.  Rosie was told of the struggle and of the harshness of reality that was Ireland at that time.   Her family had ended up in the workhouse, the last resort for families who couldn't support themselves.  I had family members in such "houses" in Liverpool.  Rosie rightly commented, while standing in what remained of one "house" that it reminded her of a concentration camp. 

I love the stories which unfold in these episodes and I love the reminder that sometimes, no matter how bad you think things are, you know that you have to pull yourself up by your boot straps.  Your ancestors overcame worse things and by virtue of DNA, you must have some of their gumption within you.  Deep breath, chin up, move on.