Blaire Ruth Evanson is about two weeks old. She has “Blair Hair” as in her Great-grandpa Blair, which means really curly and really dark. It’s a family trait that has crowned more than a few through the generations and brought with it some challenges. The older I get the more I believe family traits weigh in beyond the physical, easy-to-see characteristics which Blaire is exhibiting.

There’s the gift of gab which is apparent in Sister Rox. From the time she was old enough to toddle across the old First Ward Stage and greet the audience with, “Hello, Grandma!” she has kept our whole family in conversation. Grandma Blodwin was a talker as well as Rox’s sons, Quade and Chase, who never let the discourse lag. You can’t see that trait, but you can hear it.

Grandpa Tom loved horses. His son, Pete, was happiest riding the hills. Pete’s daughter, Joni, rodeoed all through high school and her daughter went to college in Texas on a rodeo scholarship. On the other hand, I don’t think my mom ever got on a horse. Seems chance plays a big role in who we turn out to be…as well as environment and choice.

Thinking about DNA, I logged into Ancestry just to look around at my gene pool and discovered a whole new feature, at least for me. “Traits” was listed across the top along with “Origins” and “Matches.” I checked out the “Traits” feature and discovered that the genetic scientists at Ancestry have figured out a way to map 79 traits based on that little sampling of saliva I sent them about ten years ago. The “Traits” include things like “Doing things alone,” “Cilantro aversion,” “Dancing,” “Determination,” and, get this, “Earwax type.” They actually place you on a continuum for each of the 79 different traits. It was a kick reading through where my genes put me. Some rang true to where I have actually landed and some are not even close.

Evidently, environment and choice do play a role in many of the traits. For example, according to Ancestry I’m a night person, however they do qualify it by explaining this is a trait that can be changed by environment and choice. I’m the most committed morning person I know. Early to bed and early to rise! They hit the nail on the head though when they identified me as being “less flexible.” I never could come close to doing the splits.

So, Little Blaire has inherited genes from her mom and her dad’s families. She will also be a product of her environment and most importantly the choices she makes. It’s a Good Life when you take the raw material your genes give you and turn it all into goodness with help from your friends, family and your own choices!