One year my tenth grade students spent time giving me the ‘dozens’ about my age, weight, hair loss, etc. We traded laughs, then I closed with this promise.
One day soon, look at the face of the oldest relative that everyone says you look like. I promise that one morning 40 years from now, you will look into your mirror, and see that person. Then, look over your shoulder and you will see me . . . laughing.
That was about 1985 and this morning, when they looked in the mirror, they found that person staring back at them. I am still laughing.
I disagree. We are more than our genetics. As we age, I think we can recognize the traits better but also how they have played out differently in each individual depending on life experiences. For example, I have a genetic condition that I don’t use to get sympathy like my sister does. She lets it define her. Same genes, different choices.
Erse IS better 11 months ago
“It’s not all about me” is a really tough one to learn.
Rhetorical_Question 11 months ago
Commonality runs in family genes?
holdenrex 11 months ago
“As we age, we become our parents; live long enough and we see faces repeat in time” – Neil Gaiman
elbow macaroni 11 months ago
Not really.
goboboyd 11 months ago
When you find yourself with the snoozing men in the living room after a family feast, you’ve arrived.
sandpiper 11 months ago
Frazz’s comment nailed this one.
One year my tenth grade students spent time giving me the ‘dozens’ about my age, weight, hair loss, etc. We traded laughs, then I closed with this promise.
One day soon, look at the face of the oldest relative that everyone says you look like. I promise that one morning 40 years from now, you will look into your mirror, and see that person. Then, look over your shoulder and you will see me . . . laughing.
That was about 1985 and this morning, when they looked in the mirror, they found that person staring back at them. I am still laughing.
Drbarb71 Premium Member 11 months ago
I disagree. We are more than our genetics. As we age, I think we can recognize the traits better but also how they have played out differently in each individual depending on life experiences. For example, I have a genetic condition that I don’t use to get sympathy like my sister does. She lets it define her. Same genes, different choices.
fritzoid Premium Member 11 months ago
When blood sees blood of its own
It sings to see itself again
It sings to hear the voice it’s known
It sings to recognize the face
One body split and passed along the line
From the shoulder to the hip
I know these bones as being mine
And the curving of the lip
Suzanne Vega, “Blood Sings”
Chris Jones Premium Member 11 months ago
Thankfully, I’m adopted.
The Orange Mailman 11 months ago
Denial and failure to identify are two different things.
Richard S Russell Premium Member 11 months ago
Works in the other direction, too. You may look quite a lot like your little sister right now, kid, but give it about a decade.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] 11 months ago
As I understand it is from our grandparents, we get much of our visible traits.