Today marks Family History Day. Whatever your tradition, one thing rings true: it’s important to know your roots and where you have been.

Last night, I had the opportunity of sharing memories of the ‘good old days’ with my grandfather.

I’ve always been shocked with how times have changed, but he gave me a different perspective.

Whereas my generation has always known a computer, my grandfather’s generation didn’t have radio until he graduated high school.

Technology was industrializing in his day. I learned last night of the first television he had in his home. He said it was black and white and when it broke you had to go a store to get spare parts to fix it.

My grandfather, who retired as an engineer but never really retired, taught me how to appreciate technology.

I never realized how much automobiles have advanced with having air conditioning and a cigarette outlet for a GPS until my grandpa told me his first car didn’t have any heat.

Family History Day makes us appreciate everything that much more. It helps us understand that life has not always been so easy.

The older generation has a lot to teach us about the meaning of life.

They have lived through more wars and economic struggles then we might encounter in our lifetime.

I embrace these stories as learning experiences to my benefit to prepare me for the struggles I may face in the future.

My grandfather mentioned how he used to watch Edward Murrow on TV, and I became fascinated.

He and I talked about how the newscasts compare to those after the war, and he was surprised I knew so much.

Family History Day means more than spending time with my family, however.

It’s a day to reflect on my German and English heritage and explore the family stories. My grandparents tell amazing stories.

Each heritage has its own unique stories to share on this day.

I find this day a day to remember to those who are gone and those who are still living. In past generations, the stories of family generations were spread by word of mouth from village to village, and today they are memoirs in books to be preserved.

Let’s do this today. It would be great to have a family heirloom to pass down to the next generation for their family history search.

Jennifer Brown can be reached at 581-7942 or at jebrown2@eiu.edu.