CNY Inspirations: Bring the past into the present

This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard, Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
For many Christians, November begins with the feast of All Saints, when we remember those who have died and whose lives still affect us. November is also a harvest month, when we reap the things that we have sown.
Americans also celebrate Thanksgiving, when we reflect on the good things that have happened to us, and give thanks for what we have now. In short, November is a month when we bring the past into the present and see our reliance on it.
Too often, we ignore the past. Certainly, the present and the future are important, but the past still lives within us. Our parents and grandparents, our teachers and mentors, even cultural or religious voices all live in us. We are partially made up of whom they were. Forget not where you came from, or you shall be blind to where you are going.
The Rev. Tim Hannon is a priest and rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Manlius, N.Y.