Knacks: Do You Have One?

Billy learned about knacks at his gram's knee. According to Gram, folks are born with certain talents--gifts.

The origins of "knacks" as I have used them in Gloria Russell lies primarily with the Scots, Irish, and Welsh who fled religious persecution in the 15th and 16th centuries and made their way to the New World. Some of these immigrants settled in the Appalachian Mountain Range and from there continued westward to the Ozarks.

From the healing powers of holy men and women, to native visionaries and soothsayers, there is evidence in most cultures of people who possess extraordinary abilities and gifts.

But do we still? Do YOU possess a knack or two?

Consider some of the gifts Gram speaks of:

Hmmm . . . do some of these knacks sound oddly familiar?

What about that friend who is able to mend rifts? The one everyone goes to when they're mad or hurt? The one who listens without judgment or gives practical advice on how to put things to right?

Did you know that even today, water dowsing is considered a viable method for finding underground water? There are actual professional "dowsers" employed by drilling companies.

Then there's the guy who calls things as he sees them. Who names a snake, liar or cheat after only a minute or two in their presence.

How about that kid at school who can repair just about anything? Overhead projector. Computer. Phone, radio, or game console.

Everyone has an uncle, aunt, grandparent or parent who has the uncanny ability to contradict the weatherman and be right.

And what about that feeling you get in your gut when things "aren't quite right?" When you know you shouldn't drive down a certain street, or ride your bike that day, or spend time in your favorite haunt?

Do you know who's on the other end of a ringing phone before answering on occasion?

Or maybe you dream about someone you haven't spoken to in ages and they show up at your door, or you run into them at the mall.

Why do certain individuals choose to attend medical school for years and dedicate their lives to healing?

I suppose you could chalk all these things up to coincidence, or instinct, or just plain ordinary luck, but are they?

Perhaps your neighborhood contains more interesting people than you originally thought. Maybe you have special talents with magical origins.

Something to think about...