Where in the World?

I received quite an interesting email last night. The sender was from http://www.dna.ancestry.com and the subject line read, “GREAT NEWS! Your AncestryDNA results are in!” Wow…I had completely forgotten about that little test tube experiment! Several months ago, I sealed up that pre-paid postage box, casually tossed it into the mailbox with nary a care, nor curious thought as to what my cocktail of spit might reveal. Well…on June 29th, 2016 at 8:00pm, I discovered quite a few interesting diagnostics, genetic matches, plus several mystery ingredients hidden in my family melting pot.

I had known my family was predominantly of English, German and other Eastern European descent, but not much work went into any detailed research, nor did anyone show much interest with exploring deeper into family trees. Over the last few years, I began to get curious and despite my becoming close friends with Google search, the lack of answers frustrated me a little. I turned 50 last February. The fact that I’ve lived half a century doesn’t bother me – the prospect of facing my mortality doesn’t concern me either. Basically, there’s nothing about my age or getting older that phases me in the least bit negatively – in fact, it’s quite the opposite! I embrace myself now and the years which lie ahead, but I’d like to know WHERE DID I COME FROM? As my mother and father near 80 years of age, I find myself more inquisitive about family history. I want to know everything about everything – the good, bad, and the ugly. I want to ask questions, find answers, make a record of people, places, and things of which make me who I am today.

Aha, it’s clear to me now…I remember why I decided to submit this DNA test. I’m certainly interested to know more about the history and people forgotten or lost in time. I’m not actively searching for secrets or skeletons in the closet (even though that would be a fascinating find), instead I hope to connect the dots with family on a historic…and emotional level. I think about the potential for research and scientific breakthroughs via the uncovering, and discovery of detailed information from generations past. What will we be able to find out about our genetic backgrounds, personality traits, health, and other predispositions? There’s much work to do, but maybe we’re on the cusp of something which might prove helpful by tracing various origins – let’s examine disease and congenital conditions, possible causes, and cures. Science has made fascinating strides regarding the powerful use of DNA testing in the last few decades and it will continue to evolve. Maybe it’s time to explore where we all came from. If we do this, maybe it’ll also help us understand one another – and bring us closer together as human beings. Maybe we can learn to respect the union we share of global “oneness” and gain a better perspective as to where/who we are in this world. Truly, we are all made up of small specks, microscopic bits in the universe created for a purpose…a meaning…we must not forget that.

Ethnicity estimate for Mary Pettigrew

REGIONAPPROXIMATE AMOUNT
Africa< 1%
• Trace Regions
< 1%
• Africa North< 1%
• Other Regions Tested
• Benin/Togo0%
• Ivory Coast/Ghana0%
• Africa South-Central Hunter-Gatherers0%
• Africa Southeastern Bantu0%
• Senegal0%
• Nigeria0%
• Mali0%
• Cameroon/Congo0%

America0%
• Other Regions Tested
• Native American0%

Asia0%
• Other Regions Tested
• Asia Central0%
• Asia South0%
• Asia East0%

Europe99%
• Great Britain46%
• Europe West23%
• Ireland14%
• Iberian Peninsula8%
• Trace Regions8%
• Italy/Greece3%
• Europe East2%
• Scandinavia2%
• Finland/Northwest Russia< 1%
• Other Regions Tested
• European Jewish0%

Pacific Islander0%
• Other Regions Tested
• Melanesia0%
• Polynesia0%

West Asia0%
• Other Regions Tested
• Middle East0%
• Caucasus0%

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http://dna.ancestry.com/public/ethnicity/2773d459-4c06-429a-b334-d6d848009f9b/4

Author: Mary

ABOUT MARY ~ Mary is a patient advocate for MS, chronic illness & disabilities. She is a freelance writer from Texas who enjoys exploring a variety of different styles & genres, however her deep passion for creative writing (poetry, essay, narrative interview & non-fiction) remains unwavering & purposeful. Mary's personal & professional background is an eclectic compilation consisting of the fine arts, civil rights advocacy, fundraising with 15 years in sales/marketing & event planning in the private club industry. Mary is a 1990 graduate from The University of North Texas with a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management. In 2001, Mary was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Within a few years, health issues forced her to resign from the career she loved. As her marriage began to crumble, Mary was keenly aware of the emotional & mental crisis firmly taking hold. Eventually, she sought the help of a professional therapist which helped her learn the important coping skills needed to tame/calm mood disorders & to encourage healthy ways in which to purge the noisy chaos inside the brain. This loss of reality, normalcy, & PURPOSE needed to be reinvented, renewed & rewritten...NOW! The divorce & all related proceedings lasted an unfathomable six years, yet it was the therapy, communities & her writing which kept her most grounded. Each poem a cathartic purge, each word a therapeutic tool meant for healing & to inspire resilience. Blindsided by this newfound purpose & passion, Mary continues writing & exploring a plethora of multimedia outlets to this day. Her writing, networking & advocacy projects target the MS, chronic illness & disability communities. Her interactive presence can be seen throughout social media. Although MS is the primary community in which she advocates, Mary enjoys playing an active role in other patient communities (bloggers, writers, music, live chats, special events, & many more. One of the key messages Mary continues to emphasize is how chronic illness can affect everyone differently. MS is a prime example in that we are not a "one size fits all." This disease called MS is a conundrum in every which way. To this day, research continues, yet we still don't know the root cause for MS, yet current findings now show "risk factors" for the disease. MS can morph as it sees fit to do so. Unpredictably, silently, sometimes relentlessly this MS becomes an uninvited, unwanted "internal room-mate." Mary's overall background & her desire to discover herself & new creative outlets was a plus. A renewed student for life, Mary continues to explore the unknown - Once you switch off your "auto pilot" it's amazing what you can see & do. Place focus on learning, consume new information & participate in activities uncharted or foreign (The science of Neuroplasticity). All of this is most DEFINITELY a work in progress, but remember to focus most on the important things in life. Laugh out loud & live selflessly with compassion, purpose & unbridled passion. Connect with Mary at: 🔸Twitter: @pettigrew66, @MSpals 🔸Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Mary.patriciapettigrew 🔸LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maryppettigrew 🔸Instagram: 🔸https://www.mspals.wordpress.com Acknowledgments and Press ~ UPDATES TO COME * Creator & Co-founder of MSpals: A Global Organization (2014 - present) * Administrator & contributing author of content, posts, & interviews: MSpals blog: https:/:www.mspals.wordpress.com ~ The Summer of Sport: Forward Poetry 2012 ~ Poetry Rivals Collection 2013 ~ Something On Our Minds Vol.III ~ Something On Our Minds Vol IV. Interviews: National Multiple Sclerosis Society's "Momentum Magazine" ~ 2013 = Art Therapy & MS ~ 2015 = Connecting Via Social Media Other works also featured on a variety of blogs, websites, videos, as well as other multimedia platforms including: www.pajamadaze.com www.disabled-world.com www.HealthCentral.com www.MyCounterpane.com www.MS&MeRadio/TBI Network iConquerMS/The Accelerated Cure Project WEGO Health - Patient Leader HealtheVoices - Patient Leader MS Focus - Monthly contributor View all posts by Mary