We had planned to go to the Scottish Festival this weekend, but after all the recent travel, schoolwork, and regular work, we decided to rest instead. Ironically, skipping the festival gave me time to reflect on something surprising I recently learned — my Irish heritage isn’t exactly what I thought it was.

For years, my family proudly celebrated our Irish roots. St. Patrick’s Day was practically a family holiday — green everywhere, Irish pride in full swing. But as it turns out, the story has a twist. After doing some research, I discovered that much of what we thought was Irish… is actually Scottish. At 46 years old, finding out I’m more Scottish than Irish was quite the shock! My cousin knew but hadn’t shared with the rest of us. One DNA test later and my world was rocked!

Now, I know I’m a mix — Scottish, Swedish, Irish, and a few other threads woven in — but this revelation sparked a curiosity I can’t seem to put down. I’ve been tracing my lineage, learning about the people who came before me. Like every family tree, mine has its saints and its scoundrels — some I’m proud of, and some I’m a little afraid to claim!

I even found our family crest and motto, which honestly explain a lot about the traits that still run through our family. I won’t give everything away (a little mystery is good for the soul), but let’s just say that when people tell me, “Just get it done,” — it might actually be in my blood.

A year ago I applied to the program I am in now. https://mwilliamsart.com/64days/2024/10/1/september-20-2024. My life is so different and still the same. So much has happened and God has sent to many blessings.