Reaching back in history...

Woodbury, Connecticut was the town my grandparents chose as home at the turn of the century, 1900.  Several of their children were born in the house known as the "Blackman" Place that set on the top of a small hill.  A well-worn dirt road wound down onto the green in the center of the quaint New England town.  The thundering sound of pounding horse's hooves would announce my grandfather's return home to ravage his family with merciless beatings and vile cursings. 

It was a time void of women's shelters and abuse hot lines.  "Generations" visits the difficult past that would eventually lead to redemption.  I hope to spark interest in this story as I share glimpses into the lives of its characters:  Edward and Jessie May Garlock.

In looking at the history of the town itself--Woodbury--I discovered it was first settled by emigrants from Stratford, England, in 1639--only 19 years after the Pilgrim's landing at Plymouth.  The following is a quote from author, William Cothren in his book:  "History of Ancient Woodbury, Connecticut".

"...men have the right to search the dim and dusky records of the past and having found an honored and virtuous time of progenitors, have a right to be recorded as legitimate and true descendants....  No inquiries can be more interesting to the intelligent student of human nature than those that related to the generations of men.  The feelings that prompt them are just and natural.  The principle that prompts them lies deep within our nature."

The horror of my grandfather's behavior as traced in "Generations" serves to enlarge and magnify the absolute grace of God and the power of the cross!  Hoping you will follow along as I blog and take the journey that will take us to the release of the book, "Generations".

Again, I quote, this time the eloquent words of Edward Everett:  "The sacred tie of family, which reaching backward and forward, binds the generations...and draws out the plaintive music of our being..."