I want to express that I’m not an expert in shadow work or self-help. But, I’m here to share a glimpse into my life and my experiences. My hope is that by doing so, someone will feel a little less alone on their journey. Please remember that anything shared here is just a part of my perspective. It should be taken with a grain of salt.

My skill lies in my own life. Anything I share here is a personal reflection of my journey. It is not a judgment of my character. It’s important to note that if I delve into sensitive subjects, I understand they were not always admirable. This includes topics like Death or my ancestors’ past. I embrace the challenge of healing generational trauma and actively work to connect with my ancestors.

I want to be honest with you about something that weighs on my mind. I have a familial connection to a Nazi soldier. It’s quite difficult for me to reconcile with this fact. I have a negative photo of him in uniform, and I am hesitant about getting it developed. I am aware that memorabilia of that nature carries a heavy stigma, and I want to approach this issue directly. The truth is, I don’t take any pride in this part of my ancestry. I have relatives who were referred to as $5 Indians. One of them even married into the tribe of the Mohicans. My blood quantum is less than 5 percent. I fully acknowledge my European heritage. I feel it’s important to confront and think about these complex family ties.

I am proud to share my Scandinavian/Norse, Irish, and Scottish roots. I believe I descend from a royal bloodline. You wonder why I’m revealing this to you, and honestly, I find myself asking the same question. Growing up, I felt lost, unaware of my true identity or origins. My own mother told me to recognize as a Heinz 57. I used to declare it with such pride. I was oblivious to the negativity that term carried.

I understand the complexities of embracing one’s roots, especially when there is uncertainty about them. It’s a profound journey to claim a heritage, like being Mohican, based on what we’ve been told. The feeling of being lost in one’s ancestral identity can be overwhelming. Reclaiming a past you had no idea existed is both brave and significant. Your journey is important, and it takes courage to explore and connect with that part of yourself.

I make no claim as to what I was told. Still, I know for certain I am related to a Nazi. Both pride and pain can be true at once. My ancestry is part of who I am. Still, it is not what I believe. Nor does it define the worth of my work. My writing stands on its own, separate from the shadows and stories of my bloodline.