Romancing The Rock

Rather than offer Andrea Grigg a standard interview, I asked her to share part of her life with us – either a story about how she met her partner, a story about how she became a Christian, or a story of heritage from her family’s past. Andrea offered to share an interesting story about her heritage. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Old Conundrum …

I’ve heard it said that our ‘core worldview’, the one that influences our thinking and attitude towards life, is formed by the time we are two years old. Add in a bit of ‘nature versus nurture’ and you’ve got an interesting discussion on the table.

 I’ve always known I was adopted, and it definitely has affected my core worldview. But as to the other? Well, you be the judge.

 I used to go the library with my Dad, every Friday night. I’d select around ten books, and whenever possible, one of them was to do with the Vikings. Fiction or non-fiction, it didn’t matter.

 Fast forward several years. I’m at my friends’ house for dinner, along with a medical student and two Japanese doctors he’s brought over for a good Kiwi meal. One is a plastic surgeon, and the other a cosmetologist. Both these men are staring at me, and I’m becoming uncomfortable. After all, I’m only twenty.

 Finally, one says, ‘I believe your ancestors come from Scandinavia.’

‘Sorry,’ I say, ‘but I have no idea. I’m adopted.’

‘Ah,’ says the other, ‘but we can tell by your bone structure. You are definitely from Scandinavia.’

 Fast forward another sixteen years, when, at the age of thirty-six, I track down my birth family. I’m one of seven siblings no less – all with the same parents, and all adopted out. And where is our paternal grandfather from? Denmark.

 So … nature or nurture? Chicken or egg? One thing I do know is that our times and places are in God’s hands. That sums up my worldview nicely, thanks.

Thanks Andrea, for sharing this story with us. I reviewed Andrea’s novel A Simple Mistake last week. You can read it here, along with more information about Andrea Grigg. What can we look forward to next from Andrea?

I have several books on the go, including the sequel to A Simple Mistake. Can’t guarantee which one I’ll finish first, but I plan to have one completed by the end of the year. I have a feeling it might be the one entitled No Angel … but then again, no promises!