I have spent years doing genealogy and one of my highlights is meeting another passionate researcher who is working on the same branch of our joint tree. We quickly pass from impersonal statistics to stories about our kids, our traditions, our childhood memories, and our theories on family riddles. Our commonalities bind us, and the longer we talk the more we always have in common. A few years ago I was privileged to finally meet Heather, a cousin, and a fine historian. We had a grand adventure together, with another cousin, Mary, and I know that I'm a better person for having met them both.
Heather passed away on July 25th, 2014 and I miss her. Thank goodness I have her emails, handwritten cards, and pictures to help me remember her. If you have a family historian, please ask them how you can help leave a legacy behind you. When you are gone, your family will be glad you did.