I’ve adapted Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 ancestors in 52 weeks challenge by fixing the week number to the corresponding person on my children’s ahnentafel. This ensures no one until mid-sixth generation gets left behind.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: 2026 Week 01: An Ancestor (or Descendant) I Admire

Introduction

My number ones are my sons. 😊 Of course they are. I publish an updated “Ancestors of…” my children every year, with new research. That book has them both as 1, their father as 2, me as 3, and so on in the ahnentafel style. For week 1, I do person 1, so let’s talk about what I admire about them. We will get to their ancestors starting next week.

Discussion

My older son R used to drive me bananas with his freestyling ways. But now that I am “done” raising him, I’ve truly come to appreciate his attitude. He is very “go with the flow” and therefore a great companion in any adventure. He was invited to a wedding in Barcelona, Spain (from the United States) last year, and decided to tack on a side trip to Tokyo, Japan, while he was at it! He recently went to both London for his birthday and New Orleans for fun. I’m sure he will settle down when he’s ready, but I’m having a blast living vicariously.

My younger son E has always been solid and responsible. He reminds me so much of my dad that when Dad was alive, I tried to get him and E to spend time together. E became a camp counselor at 14 and served for over a decade. He became a schoolteacher. He married at just 25 years old. If there is a problem to be solved, I’m as likely to take his advice as my own.

Parenting has been So. Much. Fun. But I didn’t expect to admire and enjoy my adult children so much.

Challenge

Try flipping your lens. Instead of looking up your tree, look down. Who in the next generation do you admire, and why? Write about them or ask them to tell you about someone they admire.

Want to Learn More?

Ask my kids! Or yours! Or someone else’s! The point is, always be open to learning from anyone.

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AI Disclosure

This post was created by me with the help of AI tools. While AI helps organize research, the storytelling and discoveries are my own.

Next Week’s Topic: A Record That Adds Color