Root and branch

I seem to have been drawn in by my family history again.
What I realise from this is two things: we don't have hopes and dreams - not ones that we can grasp anyway - we are just getting through life the best we can. The other thing - we are defined by what we do to make a living. I've seen coal miners, agricultural labourers, salesmen, char women, coach builders, dyers, warehousemen, watchmakers. I'm sure there's more to their lives than this. Maybe even hopes and dreams after all.