MB#27: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙩.

[MemoirBlogthon#27]: In 2008, my father, in his mid-eighties, took on the painstaking project of compiling our family tree, driven by a philosophical belief that heritage is the guiding compass for identity and health. Preoccupied with my career, I initially offered him little support. Yet, his solitary efforts resulted in a magnificent, published chart that became an instant family heirloom. This memory is a humbling lesson in learning from my mistake, realizing that the preservation of human history is far more important than the temporary demands of a job.

MB27: The Lasting Legacy of the Family Tree Chart

Why I Didn't Support My Father’s Family Tree Project

In 2008, my father, in his mid-eighties, embarked on a major personal mission: compiling our complete family tree. He saw it as more than just a hobby; it was a critical project for preserving heritage and providing a foundation for future generations.

Before he started, he explained the philosophical importance: "A family tree is a visual representation... connecting ancestors and descendants to reveal family history." He detailed its uses, from genealogical records maintained by Hindu priests in places like Haridwar to its scientific role in identifying genetic traits. He argued that in the modern age, a family tree was more important than ever, offering a "guiding compass of ancestral family lineage."

But, preoccupied with brisk assignments and the demands of my clients, I failed to give him the time or attention he deserved. Despite his thoughtful explanation, I only partially followed his philosophical talk and excused myself from assisting.

The Lone Historian

My father, however, did not give up. Despite my non-cooperation, he took up the project with the simple tools of an old notebook and a telephone. He diligently called relatives, sometimes traveling to distant places to verify facts, putting immense effort into research.

After months of work, he called me on a holiday. He had completed the textual research; the remaining job was to transition the information into a visually impressive chart. He asked if I knew an artist who could handle the project.

This was the moment I finally put my professional skills to use for his mission. I contacted a friend who was a designer. My friend visited the house, listened to my father's meticulous details, and spent considerable time ensuring the textual information was converted into the beautiful, desired chart.

The final product—the detailed chart—was highly appreciated by our relatives, who suggested we document it in a book for a major family function. My father was delighted. He ordered 50 copies of the final chart/booklet and freely distributed them to relatives until his death.

The Legacy of My Mistake

The ultimate third-party validation came from the designer friend himself: "Your father will be remembered by the current generation as well as future generations as it becomes a guiding compass of ancestral family lineage." He admitted he had never completed such a chart for his own family, emphasizing the unique vision of my father.

Today, the master copy is with me. I maintain it, digitalize it, and forward it to whoever asks. It is a vital document for understanding our continuity, migration, and family health history—precisely the reasons my father had articulated at the beginning.

I realize now: I should have supported my father's mission from the beginning.

The deeper 'reason' behind this story is the painful lesson that professional priorities can sometimes blind us to priceless personal opportunities. Though I believe he felt unhappy about my initial lack of interest, that feeling faded when I stepped in to finalize and publish the work. My small way of paying gratitude was to print the required copies and keep them at his disposal for free distribution.

The lasting legacy of this moment is not just the family tree itself, but the realization that documenting one's heritage is a deeply ethical act—one that, regrettably, I was late to recognize but now proudly carry forward.

MB#27: Quiz

MB27 Question: What specific project did the author’s father, in his mid-eighties, undertake in 2008?

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• A. Writing his autobiography.
• B. Compiling the family tree.
• C. Documenting his engineering career.
• D. Building a community center.

MB#2: Quote

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually fear you will make one." – Elbert Hubbard