Yeah, I'm a Heinz 57. I have more genes in me than I know what to do with. I am an amalgamation of races and creeds. And I love it. On my mother's side I am both Northern and Southern European. On my father's side I am Northern European and Native American. Yes, I am a mutt. And I wear that badge proudly. Hey, it ain't easy being an American...
My paternal great-great grandmother was a full blood Menominee Sioux from northern Minnesota. Yeah, the Sioux Nation. We're still not sure if great-great grandpa John and great-great grandma Elisabeth were ever legally married (this country had some really strange laws back then) but they homesteaded 40 acres of prairie in southern Illinois, built a sod house and raised a family. One of their daughters was my great-grandmother. Her name was Emma. She married a crazy man named Henry. They had two sons. One named Glenn. He was my grandfather. He married a woman who's name was Vena. Her mother was full blood Cherokee from the Carolinas. Her name was Susie. And she warmed my heart for the short time that I knew her. She was statuesque and gracious . A heart of gold.
OK, here's the truly strange part. I've done a bit of research. On my mother's side there is a very good chance that I am a descendant of one of the founders of Jamestown. Oh lord. I sat back in my chair and just went pale. Holy shit. HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!
Either way, it doesn't matter. I'm me. And I'm an American. I have genes that go back generations. Some I have known, some I have not. Their blood runs in my veins and I am proud. Damned proud!
Sometimes the best things you can find are the mutts at the rescue shelter....
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