Diaspora

If we come across that word, it is usually referring to the migration of Jews from their original home in the Middle East to probably every nation on earth. Another common reference is when we talk about African-American movements from slave plantations to every state in the United States and beyond. But it doesn’t have to be great cultural masses that have a diaspora. Our little families have it as well. As I was carefully maneuvering around icy trails this morning, I was thinking of the George Diaspora. I was probably thinking about why our ancestors would settle in this cold part of North America!

My mom’s family moved from Mahanoy City, PA to Slatington, PA so my grandfather could work in the slate quarries. My dad’s family moved north from Quakertown, PA to Slatington, also for work. This little town of Slatington is where my diaspora begins. You know how much I love my town. My part of family migration is small. The farthest I have lived from my hometown is 15 miles away in Allentown. Even though I had a job that allowed me to see most parts of the United States, here I remained. My kids lived as far away as Tamaqua, about twenty miles to the northwest.

My oldest brother lived in California, after a stint in the Marines. He and his wife moved to Oklahoma. His kids live in Oklahoma and Georgia. Diaspora indeed!

My sister married into Lehighton, PA. Her kids now live in Cleveland, Ohio, and Slatedale, PA. But their kids live in Colorado and Erie, PA. My other two brothers only got a few miles from Slatington, one in Washington Township, the other in Walnutport. Their kids have spread out a little more in places like Germansville, Orefield, Slatedale, Kutztown, Upper Perkiomen area, and Lehigh Furnace, all in eastern PA.

The George family is big, even though it started with the seven of us, mom, dad and the five kids in a little twin home on Franklin Street in Slatington. The next generation is probably more spread out, but I have, unfortunately, lost track. Here are the places I do know. Boston, Philly, Poughkeepsie, Colorado, New Tripoli.

Reading over this post I am amazed at how mobile my family is. Reading over this post I also realize how boring it may be to my non-family readers! Let me try to make a connection. Think about your own families and how far and wide they may be. It makes it harder to keep a family close, when they are spread out all over the map. But here is a positive spin. When a child is born, and they become old enough to understand, show them your family diaspora. I am reminded of Dr, Suess. “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”.