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Something flew out of the bus window. A book bounced down the slope, leaving a trail of pressed flowers, postcards, and memories. The book's pages revealed a life filled with joy and sadness, marked by new beginnings and heartbreaking endings. Ultimately, the impulsive choices made by the book's owner led to the devastating loss of her children.
It was the diary of Callie Atkins Taylor that flew out the window. Her daughter, Dessie, had thrown it, not wanting anything to do with her mother, vowing her children would never know their grandmother's name. Dessie was successful — that is, until generations later, someone started asking questions.
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Growing up in Kentucky, Callie was born into a large loving family. Granny and PaPaw lived nearby. Granny baked strawberry pies and PaPaw told wild tales of his youth traveling with gypsies. Annabelle, the schoolteacher gave her a view of a world beyond the banks of the Cumberland River.
This all changed and her teen years found her the wife of a much older man; she tried to make the best of things. Tobacco farming was a hard life, especially in the midst of the Tobacco Wars with the Night Riders terrorizing everyone around.
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She searched for a way out and found one when the Moonshine Boys offered her a way to travel and enjoy life in Saint Louis during the Roaring 20s.
It was all perfect until it wasn't.
BIO
First, I am the daughter of Jane, daughter of Velma, daughter of Alice, daughter of Catherine, daughter of Jane, daughter of Cynthia. One day I hope to discover the name of Cynthia’s mother. The purpose of her life work is to connect with her ancestors and tell their stories. Collectively these ancestors come to me as Granny.
They say good things come to those who wait. I’m counting on that. I’m not sure if it was deliberate waiting or simply procrastination. I am confident that now is the right time to release all the stories, insights, and messages from Granny. Follow me along this journey of discovery of the ancestral stories discovered. How did I meet Granny? That’s one of the stories I will tell.
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Barbara Osgood has been following her own path her whole life. The Long and Winding Road was her high school class song. There have been many miles and turns and often A Long Strange Trip might be a better description.
Barbara was born in New Hampshire and her family first settled there in the early 1600’s with the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They never left. Barbara did. She’s been moving around the country since 1973. She now lives in Colorado with the hope of a beach house in her future.
Throughout her life she’s felt a knowing and an understanding of her ancestors. She follows the breadcrumbs and asks the questions. Often the story will be hijacked by another ancestor. Along the way she’s educated herself in genealogical research, DNA, fine tuning intuitive clarity. Meditation and just sitting quietly with the ancestors have brought insight and knowing. Using these clues much has been able to be verified in historical records.
Up until now she has only written the stories for her family. Her calling is to listen to the stories of her ancestors and share with the family. She will share how she ‘s made these discoveries and how you can too. Recently the calling has expanded from only her own grandmothers.