Rewriting Family History
The discovery of the photograph led the two families to revisit and revise what they thought they knew of their family history. Emma began working with relatives from both sides to compile a detailed family tree that canvassed all the branches of the lineage. The project evolved into something of a labor of love, bringing cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents together for a unified mission.
They also resolved to digitize the collection of old photographs and documents so that such history would not be lost but preserved for the future. That gave them an assurance that the memories were not lost but helped heal the emotional wound from this discovery.
They soon realized that their shared past did not consist of bad decisions but was built on the foundation of choosing to accept the truth and form a new relationship.What was something to be shocked about now became something to celebrate and to use as a method of growth and healing for reconciliation.
