You can imagine my joy of discovering an old wooden amunition (probably from World War II) box in my mom's living room filled with never before seen photos from both my grandmother and mother's childhood. As I sat scrunched up in the corner where I found the box, I flipped through, gazed, wondered, and asked my mother tons of questions about the details of photos. I felt the greatest awe and nostalgia for a time in my dearest loved ones lives that came before me.
Wonderful, timeless images. I can't say enough about how honored I felt to be peaking into the lives of my family members who lived a lot of life before I had the privilege of becoming a thread woven into their story!
In so many photos, I saw objects that I've seen all my life at my grandparents' home -- cannisters, perculators, appliances, the barnyard, a baby highchair, a children's tractor and so much more. All of these things I know in the present. They've always been around. Taken for granted as the backdrop to their life. But looking at them in the background of photos from so many moons ago really resonated their life, their use, their function. People were born, grew up, and aged into adulthood while these objects maintained their purpose in their world.
I saw my aging grandmother, as a spirited, beautiful young lady who enjoyed posing in front of the camera. And who, even then, loved her animals - especially cats and birds.
I saw my mother as a toddler, documented in all her busyness and joy! And I can't help but sense my grandmother's awe of this little toddler girl as she captured these sweet, fleeting, moments in photos. She was a new mother - just like myself wanting to remember the simple moments of her daughter's childhood. And I think of my own mama as a little girl and I can imagine what a curious, charming little one she must have been. Just waiting to still the hearts of those around her. Following in the footsteps of the adults and older children around her. Hmmm...reminds me of someone near and dear to my heart today.
The lives of my elders were modest at best. My grandparents always noted that the Depression didn't have as great of an impact on them as it did to people who were wealthier. They are were already poor as church mice. Of course, life improved once my grandfather returned from Europe.
Yet when I held each photo and looked at the expressions on their faces, I could see happiness. I could see a full life. I could see an immense amount of love and lots of family. People of many different ages together in a photo - relaxed and smiling. A hard, yet none the less, whole life.
I can't help but share a handfew. I hope you see the simple goodness that I see when I look at the people in these images.
My grandparents, very young.
My uncles, as little boys, obviously happy to be going fishing!
The little girl engaged in practical life activities: sweeping, spooning or eating?, feeding/talking to the chickens, having tea, etc. is my mom! What fun her little life looked to be.
My grandfather watching as his children walk towards the barnyard.
Oh, I LOVE this one: My mom on her bike with cowboy hat!
And this one is probably my favorite. It's my grandmother. I love the light in this photo - the sun shining down on them and my grandmother laughing so wholeheartedly. The little baby in the bicycle basket is my mom and the little girls are my mom's cousins who lived right down the road from her.
Just catching up with your posts. I love these photos. It is so precious to view these glimpses into our families' lives. Especially the "every day" shots -- reminds us of the importance of documenting daily life.
Posted by: Evergreen | June 24, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Thanks Gretchen! I just noticed that your counter on your blog says that little PC is very, very close to the big day!! Like I've told you before, I remember when I read your blog about her arrival!! Hugs to you all!
Posted by: Nichole | June 29, 2010 at 12:47 PM
What a treasure you found. I've never seen those photos.
Humm. Today, folks probably take more pictures than ever. But they're all on our phones or something... Who still prints them?
Enjoy the trip.
More later,
Posted by: Skip | July 03, 2010 at 02:28 PM
Yep, you'll need to dig through it next time you go home. Great photos in there. Right now, on my hard drive I have over 10,000 photos. Crazy! With digital, it's so easy to accumulate such an abundance. I try to delete all but the keepers, and print out the ones I absolutely love, still, sometimes I can't help but wonder what will become of these digital files in the years and decades to come.
Posted by: Nichole | July 10, 2010 at 08:42 PM