Today is the 125th anniversary of my
great-grandfather’s birth. Daniel Dunlap was my paternal grandfather’s father.
My dad’s grandpa. He died well before I was born, so I did not know him, but I
For the past week, my dad and some of his cousins have been
sharing memories of Grandpa Dunlap. He was a remarkable individual and
well-known in the community for supporting education, for being a generous
neighbor, and for his ability to repair just about anything with whatever he
had at hand. His wife, Norabelle, was an equally remarkable woman.
Growing up in Moore County, North Carolina, I was used to my
dad and my grandfather explaining to me who was who and how they were related
to us. Since my last name was Dunlap, I understood that Dunlaps were my people.
When people spoke about Dunlaps, they meant me, too.
My people also included Barbers and Needhams. When I went to
Scotland in 2005, I never had to spell my last name.
My mother’s people included the Moritts and the Felmans (and
variations thereupon).
Now that I’m married, I represent the Seymours (and, on
occasion, the Riggles).
All of these are names that came to me. What they mean,
represent, stand for in communities is the work of people who came before me.
They’re my people. I’m their people.
As I read the stories of Daniel Dunlap and his impact on the
community around him, I think of this verse: [Jesus said:] “For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another
reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have
labored, and you have entered into their labor." (John 4:37-38)
I did not work for what these names mean when people hear
them, but I have benefited from that work. I have reaped a good harvest from
Daniel and Norabelle and so many others.
Thus, I know that is my work to continue to sow so that my
children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews will be able to enjoy the
harvest. I work as a Seymour, a Dunlap, a Barber, a Moritt, a Felman.
I work as a Lutheran (ELCA), a former Southern Baptist, an Alaskan,
a child of the modern South.
I sow as a graduate of Union Pines High School, Sandhills
Community College, Meredith College, Yale Divinity School.
My work reflects on Father Hank Franklin, Pastor John Stone,
Pastor David Helms, Dr. Sarah Lemmon, Rev. Beverly Alexander, Pastor Royall
Yount, Pastor Larry Holmes, and on and on.
I did not build the name I inherited. It is by the
graciousness that preceded me that I enjoy such a bountiful harvest. And I ask
for the grace to continue to sow to allow for a harvest beyond me.
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