Recently I was sent some wonderful photos of the French branch of my family. My partner and I had a good look through them this afternoon and were struck by how many similarities there were between the families. My cousin is a master engineer we could tell by looking at his photographs of a garden railway layout he has constructed.
My son feels blood relationships are stongest. I think they are distinctive and there is no doubt I understand my identity within a context which is a group of people who share similar DNA. However, I feel I am who I am because of my experience - and so those I have chosen to share life with have profoundly influenced the person I am becoming. Blood relationships are a very real benchmark for me but I feel they are just the beginning of the journey. Becoming fully myself is a life long activity, aided and occasionally abetted - or perhaps reflected by friends, wider family and Life.
In the photographs I saw the essence of Wallman identity. A passion for construction; creativity; love of animals; attention to detail - almost to an autistic level of engagement; tenaciousness - and love of a natural environment; introversion; a certain self-awareness.
In my heart I know that how I have interpreted this blue print in all I have done with the raw materials. Within this context genes are less important than mutual respect and care. For all that - still fascinating to see when something is nature and not nurture.
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