Photos: House in Hassell
I never get tired of finding out more about my family. I soak it up, write it down, and take a picture of it. Luckily, my grandfather is also nostalgic as he gets closer to 90 years of age in December. This is just a few of the pictures during my journey home. This is the NC I see. Hassell, NC.
Arrival
Wife is connecting with the land 
Side view of great-grandma's house
Inside exploring the past...carefully
Remembering
Departure
Photography: N. S. Bess and S. Bess
Comments
the stories i bet that house could tell
Thank you.
Mickle-
Thank you for the huggles. :)
MJ West-
Thanks, bro.
Faith-
Cool. I have my first sell when I put that work out. :)
T Stephens-
You got that right.
Max-
Thank you, brother and nice seeing you.
My pleasure. Yes, I often visit the past. It's the stuff that good stories are made of. Thanks for the blessings. Peace~
Yet I am very aware that these, and my other grandparents' families had a choice and came to NZ by choice. Not enslavement, not penal servitude, not without any hope of never "getting back home"
I send sincere love and care, Michelle
i know he has seen so much in his life and i know you can learn something new from him everyday
i got family from rosedale north carolina
im from baltimore and damn near everybody there got family from the carolinas
who knows we might be kin lol
Yes, very much so. Thanks.
Bronze-
She loves the Carolinas. She said that it reminds her of South Africa's countryside.
ProfZ-
My family still owns the land. They rent it out to farmers. I wish they would renovate the house, but...? If I can, I will.
Michelle-
Thanks for that family history and the love. You know, I feel blessed to also have close ties with my past. Yes, we were brought to America under harsh conditions, but it just makes the history and the story that more interesting.
I am even privelaged to know where some of my family originated in Africa. We know because of county court records and because family have been in the same county since the first African arrived.
James Tubman-
lol. Yes, you're right. I have many cousins in B'more from North Carolina. There are lots of Best/Bess, Lanier and Cherry who live in that city. Thanks for stopping through. Btw, I learn so much from grandpa. He's talkative in his old age. Peace~
I love the RSA picnic pics. Nice to see the flag and a hint of the ANC colors on a bandana!!
Yes, so much to tell. My grandfather talks about the stories whenever I visit. Thanks for stopping through.
Emil-
I often revisit my past. It's something that I treasure and will past down. As for the RSA Picnic, most of the people there were ANC. Good to see you and I wish the best on your decision to move.
I love these photos..it makes me think of my own Grandparents...who built their own home on their own land that is still in my family today. It is a rich history that isn't often shared.
Gosh you r site makes me happy on so many levels! and God bless your lovely wife for loving the land!
Thank you and thanks for coming by.
Lovebabz-
Thank you so much and good to see you.
Sumeeta-
Thanks, Sumeeta. How are you these days?
My grandfather was born there. He was born in 1918. All I know is that it was before then. That's my next mission. Thanks.
What touching and beautiful words you have shared with us.
: )
I can imagine you was happy and enjoyed to visit this house which is a family house, and yet I can imagine too how your grand'father would be sdisappointed to discover how this house is now. It was the case for my grand'aunt who is 91 years ols when she went and see her house where she was born : the garden for instance was quite different than in her memory
;o)
It is so moving
:'{
Beautiful photo's and I love the way you tell your stories!!
Your blog is very inspiring!
Love your wife's afro. I wear one of those. Hands-free, inexpensive and beautiful.
Thank you for sharing. Brings back TONS of memories. Some good, some well....we'll say not so good and leave it at that.
Anyway, I too grew up in the South. Mississippi. The house you have pics of looks very much like our old homestead. Though I've never actually gone inside since I grew up & left. Maybe I should? Maybe.
Thank you for allowing me to muse & visit.
Blessings,
King Tut