Family Migration
Where we come from can be tied to countries, but it is the individuals who kept the spirit, traditions and the legacies alive that will continue to define us. I have lived in twenty-two homes, five states and two countries. I have traveled to forty of the fifty states and visited ten countries. This journey has never been completely my own for many of my steps were walked by those who came before me. Their influence, how they lived, where they came from and where they needed to go, would become part of my own identity.
The Early Years
June 4, 1978, I was born and into what? I had no choice, none of us do. For me, though I have been fortunate as the creative juices ran strong. My mother is of German descent, not much is known about her side as her father was adopted and died when she was sixteen. On my father’s side, there was a great influence. His was the side that would build our family and expose me to the past. His side came from Norway but was also influenced by Germany. Germany is a country that would continue to impact my life and the lives of others.
As a child, I knew I had German and Norwegian ancestry, but I only saw sides of each. The German side was expressed by my mother when she would comment on her work ethic, the Norwegian side would show up on Christmas. Every Christmas Eve we would gather at my Grandparents house. Each year before opening any presents we would sing carols around a huge tree. One of the carols that myself and my cousins would fumble and try to hum along to was in Norwegian. It is funny however that as much as I remember about that moment it is the moments where other cultures were continually introduced that I remember most. My Grandfather loved the Middle East. He made frequent trips to Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. Our tree was always covered in tiny blue lights and on the branches little Israeli flags. During his trips around the world, he would collect different accessories. I always remember him wearing Chinese slippers and a Jewish Kippah. It was an eccentric home, but it was a home where all cultures and beliefs were respected and honored.
My Youth
Throughout my pre-teen and teen years, my grandfather would continue to influence my perspective on where I came from and the world around me. When I was twelve he took me to the Middle East. He was had been hosting Holy Land tours an took me along. This trip changed my life and I totally began to understand why we had Israeli flags on our tree. The land was holy, and it was so misunderstood. He had built relationships with the locals and those in charge. I had dinner in a Kubutz in the middle of the desert and I had dinner with the head of the Royal Jordanian Airforce. I began to understand that it is not always where we come from that is where our home is.
Adulthood
By the time I was ready to graduate high school, I was ready to go. I had grown up in Pennsylvania, traveled, been exposed to culture, art, music and I wanted more. I wanted to go, I wanted to go west. My now husband and I did just that. We sold everything we had and drove cross country and moved to San Diego. This movement was nothing new for my family as my grandparents had made the same trek many years earlier. Our time in San Diego was not extensive as my husband decided to join the Air Force. With this choice, a whole new migration would begin as I would move back to the East Coast and then meet him to travel around the South. Our first stop was Mississippi and then onto Louisiana. I instantly loved the South. I loved the heat, I loved the food and I love history and Culture. We spent several years in Louisiana and then he got orders to go to Germany. I was so excited as I felt in a way I was going home. I would finally be in touch with my mother’s side of the family. Germany was a time that I thought would be spent trying to connect with a different side of myself, but it only further connected me to my father’s side and, my grandfather.
July 14, 2004
Irvin Shortess Yeaworth JR., 78, of Malvern PA died suddenly in an automobile accident near Petra, Kingdom of Jordan. "Shorty” born February 14, 1926, in Berlin, Germany was a German-born American film director, producer, screenwriter and theme park builder. He began his career singing at age 10 at KDKA, the world's first radio station in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He later became a radio producer. He directed more than 400 films for motivational, educational, and religious purposes. As an impresario, he directed the Wayne (Pa.) Concert Series from 1979 to 2003. However, he is best known for directing the cult classic film The Blob. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvin_Yeaworth When I heard that my grandfather had died, I was myself living in Germany. My son was also born there and was a year old and I was newly pregnant with my daughter who would also be born in Germany a few days after his birthday. A few months after the birth of my daughter, my Aunt contacted me. Since the death of my grandfather, my grandmother would be moving. She asked if we would move to Charleston and we did.
Today
My grandmother is now 92 years old and living in South Carolina. My son is now 15 and my daughter 13. For the past thirteen years, we have created a new path. Our ancestry is still alive and is passed on, but it is our immediate family that continues to define who we are. A country is a place to experience, a person can influence, but it is the individual who learns from the past, lives in the present and dares to reinvent the future that will be remembered and become part of a families lasting identity.