As you will find when you start browsing this site you will find that most of  the people in my family tree come from Shenandoah County, VA, Hampshire, Hardy  and Grant County, WV.  This is still a work in progress. I do have some of my  Heishman ancestors that migrated Westward to Ohio and Iowa and beyond.  I  started my tree on the idea of finding just a few relatives but one ancestor  grew into another limb and the more people I found the greater the challenge  became to find another.  It has now become a challenge to fine someone new and  add a piece to the puzzle.  It has become very addictive and I try to do  something each day.  It is like finding a piece of a puzzle. It is also lot of  fun to see who or how I am related to so many people I grew up with in a small  West Virginia town.  If you find mistakes let me know as I continue to search  and add new people and correct my mistakes.  I also want to thank everyone for  providing me with their family information.  A special thanks goes out to my  niece Donna Jean Moyers Riggleman and her boys for all their hard work finding  me bits and pieces of information.    
    
     Two trees grew on a cliff beside   
     A river swift and strong,   
     And when the earth began to slide   
     Their roots could not hang on.      
    
     "I can't go on! I cannot fight!"   
     Claimed one tree to his friend.   
     "I'm gonna jump, I know it's right!   
     My life is at an end!"     
    
     So to the water he did fall   
     Was quickly swept away.   
     What once stood firm and grand and tall   
     Was gone but for decay.      
    
     The other tree could not believe   
     His friend had chose to die.   
     So for that friend he had to grieve   
     And could not help but cry.     
    
     "I won't give in! I won't let go!"   
     The lone tree shouted bold,   
     "I'll use my roots and make them grow   
     To help me bear my load!"      
    
     His roots could not support the weight,   
     They let out such a groan.   
     His trunk leaned out, no longer straight.   
     "Please help!" he had to moan
    
     The sun arose and heard the plea,   
     Then bathed his leaves with light.   
     This brought new strength unto the tree   
     To help him stand upright.      
    
     Then rain beat down, more help to lend   
     But washed away some dirt.   
     "I know you want to help, my friend!   
     But now you only hurt!"      
    
     "Please go away and let me be,   
     I'll need you in a while."   
     And so the rain left quietly   
     But gave his friend a smile.      
    
     Some grasses grew around the base   
     To hold the dirt secure.   
     The roots took hold and now could brace,   
     The tree stood straight and sure.      
    
     "You may return!" the young tree cried,   
     Unto his friend the rain.   
     "I'm on my way!" the rain replied,   
     "To soak your leaves again!"      
    
     The wind arose and tried to cause   
     The roots to lose their grip.   
     But they held firm without a pause   
     And never once did slip.
    
     Then winter came with freezing cold   
     And tried to crack the bark.   
     The tree, now strong, stood proud and bold   
     Endured the cold and dark.      
    
     When spring arrived, it brought the birds   
     To nest in branches high.   
     Their loving calls seemed perfect words   
     To help him reach the sky.   
    
    
     Much older now, the tree still stands   
     And stares out at the stream.   
     The tree then gazes cross the lands   
     Until he starts to dream.      
    
     Sometimes he ponders his old friend   
     Who died so long ago.   
     He was so quick, his life to end   
     When things seemed dark and low.
       
    
     "Oh! What he missed!" the old tree sighed   
     As birds around him flew.   
     "Oh! If you only stayed and tried!   
     Oh! If you only knew!"   
    
     "That life at times is quite a strain,   
     Sometimes too much to bear!   
     But then we must endure the pain   
     With friends around who care."   
    
     By, 
     John Schreiber