Sometimes seeing your life and family in pictures can give you a whole new sense of 'being'. 
An old shoebox suddenly appears from a long-forgotten hiding place and now your very existence is validated. Yes. This is me. This is my family. See? You were there! 
And you were loved and so were they!
Questions come up. 'Now, why exactly did mom think that was attractive? ' or 'Where were we ?' or better yet, 'Who was taking it?'
How is it that I could possibly have felt left out in this group of loving and obviously overjoyed people? What got us so tickled?
Sometimes, a memory completely eludes me. It's almost there, on the tip of a neuron, and then it slips away. But, find a photo, and here it comes prancing back as if to say : "see? I knew you could do it! You aren't crazy. That DID happen...only, not quite as you thought it did."
Cameras became such a novelty. It got to where we were taking pictures just to have them, no matter how rediculous. This one was actually the sanest looking one in the bunch...remember Heather? Remember loading yourself down w/ sports equipment? Posing with 'Aunt Sally'? The shower picture? WHAT were we thinking???
The thing that will always make me happiest is knowing that even though the pictures speak of times and places far away, there are so many more to come. And knowing that friends like these are likely to be present in those as well...it's just ...just...(sigh).
8 comments:
What a great post. I love the first picture, it is gorgeous. I'm guessing it's Haleen. I love old pictures. I know what you mean about, "Why does mom think that is attractive?", as I too once sported a mullet. There were some crazy pictures of us, and who knows what we were thinking. I guess we were thinking the thoughts of 14 year old girls. But, I love the tight roll jeans, colored socks, high waisted and I'm sure pleated jeans, and huge mall hair. You and I were the 80's. I'm glad we shared those times and have pictures to remember them.
I enjoyed your post sis. Brought back lots of memories personally, as well. :) Lovely pics too!
I love this post. I'm growing more & more fascinated with family history, & have old black & white photos about of family who I've never even personally met, but are part of my legacy. I love the photo of ecstatic Haleen with a babe in arms. So sweet.
Thanks all. My favorite is the one of me and Stephie...I've always thought it was a special one.
JOdi,
I think the Haleen photo is of she and my mom but I'm not sure. Anyone who knows for sure, feel free to let me know!
yeah, it's my grandparent's house...the one at the end of the road that the Gaylords bought.
I thought I recognized that deck! I didn't realize that they lived there when you guys were so young...
Did you know that your Papa Nick and Haleen studied with me before I was baptized?
no, I didnt know that ! You and everyone else evidently..ha.
that pic of us was taken at the first house i remember living in. i remember that trip you had a stuffed squirrel you carried around, and you went to preschool with me, and my best friend wouldn't let me sit next to you during story time. lol
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