There’s a Titanic legend in my family that I learned about later in my life. With the 100th anniversary of the sinking, I'm reminded of the time I first learned of my family's connection with that fateful day.He answered me with a straight face, “It’s funny you asked. Boy, I haven’t thought about this for years. My grandfather, your great grandfather, John Kelly, had always told me about having a ticket to get on the Titanic. That was how he originally planned to come to America from County Cork Ireland. But something happened. I’m trying to remember…he said he was called into work and didn’t end up getting on the boat.”
“He had to work?!” I asked, completely surprised someone would pass up the event of the year for work.
“That’s what he told me,” my father said.
“You’re pulling my leg aren’t you? It’s one of those tall tales Irishmen tell over a few beers.”
“Nope. He was serious.”
“Did you ever see the ticket?” I asked.
“No. Didn’t ask.”
“Do you really believe him? I find it odd that someone would rather work than get on the Titanic.”
“I believed him. He was my favorite grandfather. He and I were close. If he said it was true, then I believe him.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell us this story growing up? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
“I don’t know. I forgot. I just didn’t think it was that important.”
With that new knowledge, I was left to ponder, Did this really happen? If it did, it's a pretty amazing story.
Strange things do happen around major crisis events. On the day of 9/11, there were people who didn’t show up for work for one crazy reason or another and were spared. There were people who didn’t get on the planes that crashed.
It could happen, I thought.
I attempted to verify this story by contacting a few Titanic research organizations, one in County Cork, Ireland. They told me that a pre-board passenger list did not exist, just a post board passenger list. So, I could never verify if John Kelly was actually scheduled to board the Titanic. I guess I’ll never know for sure.
That Christmas, after the Thanksgiving revelation, my father gave me the movie The Titanic. It was the last Christmas present I ever received from him. He passed on in September of 2000.
Every time I see the movie Titanic or hear the theme song, I think of my family legend and wonder if I would even be alive today if my great grandfather had made a different decision that fateful day 100 years ago. It’s one of the mysteries of life and the Titanic which will never be answered.
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Other Blog Posts by R. Ann Rousseau: Throw Your Unforgiveness into Stinky Creek, Awakening the Luminous Mind - Book Review, Follow Your Dreams - Interview with Photographer Sharon Seaward, The Gift of Criticism - Does it Belong to You?, The Real Rules of Life Book Review, Tales of Everyday Magic - My Greatest Teacher (My Dad) Movie Review, What Did You Do Tomorrow? A Hay House Radio Show Discussion, Yes! Energy Book Review, Are You a Women’s Libber? Oprah’s Next Chapter with Gloria Steinem Discussion, What is Spirituality? - Oprah's Life Class Tour with Deepak Chopra, I Believe - Book Review, Hay House Radio Show Discussion, Living On Purpose - Oprah's Life Class Tour Discussion, My Titanic Family Legend, Pearls of Wisdom Book Review, Enough Already - The Power of Radical Contentment Book Review, Wishes Fulfilled - Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion with Wayne Dyer, A Facebook Message from a Friend in Spirit, Are You Having a Life Crisis? Do You Know What Integrity Is? Wishes Fulfilled - Mastering the Art of Manifesting Book Review, Authentic Power - Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion, KEM - Sophisticated, Sexy, Soulful and Spiritual, Are You Out of Alignment? Choice Point Book Review, The Middle Lane, Clean Your Mirrors, Three Feet From Gold - Book Review, Do You Need a Most Benevolent Outcome?, We Are All Connected Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion, Release the Anger: Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Discussion, One Big Global Blogging Family, Book Review - Psychic Exploration A Challenge for Science, Hay House Radio's New Show SoundWave A Bit Hit!, Do You Believe in Soul Mates, The Future of Astrology, You Always Had the Power- Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Love Doesn't Hurt - Oprah's Life Class Discussion, The Unconditional Love of Animals-Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Your Life is Whispering to You. Pay Attention. Oprah's Life Class Discussion, The Power of a Second Chance: Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Aging : Oprah's Life Class Discussion, Connecting the Dots- Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, The Truth Will Set You Free, Discussion of Oprah's Super Soul Sunday Premiere: The World Beyond, A Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom Moment, Breaking Out the Top Shelf Advice for Rough Times, Eat Dessert First -The Art of Extreme Self Care, Queen of the Law of Least Effort-Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Book Review, The Secret of Instant Healing Book Review, Transforming Fate into Destiny Book Review, Awakening the Lightworker Within Book Review, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Book Review, Trust Your Gut Book Review, The Spirit Whisperer Book Review, Astrology for the Light Side of the Brain Book Review, How to Be Inspired Book Review, Infinite Quest Book Review, Biology of Belief Book Review, The Morning Breeze Has Secrets to Tell, The Gentle Way II Book Review, Do You Fear or Respect Mother Nature?, You Can Heal Your Life Movie Review, Impossible Situations are Great Opportunities, Do You Have Enough?, A Wright Brothers Moment! The Sacred Promise Book Review
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