Selma Emelia Mallen was my Great Grandmother.  Born in Sweden, she came to America as a teenager by herself and started a life for herself here.  She may have thought that the decision to come was hers alone…but I believe God guided her heart and led her here.

I’m a genealogist at heart.  Uncovering the past and piecing together the stories of those who came before me is exciting!  It’s like I can see God’s hand in all the little decisions that were made…so that today…I more fully understand why I am the way I am.  So many of my ancestors faced such hardship, and yet they persevered and continued on.  I wish I could tell them how proud I am of them…of how special they are to me.

I am told that Selma was an amazing cook!  I have a cookie recipe passed down to me that was hers.  When I make Selma’s cookies, I feel like she’s looking down from heaven and smiling at me.  I never knew her, but I’m honored to be her great granddaughter.

Yesterday, I visited her gravesite for the first time.  I know she’s not there…she’s in Heaven…but I felt so compelled to let her know that she was not forgotten…not by me, and one day when Jesus takes me Home, I will get the thrill of meeting her.  Until then, I remember Selma.