Sunday, November 1, 2015

Now I Understand

It wasn't about the photographs -- all those blurry, out of focus, too-light, too-dark, poorly-framed snapshots in my mother's photo album.  It wasn't about the photos at all though we, her descendants, would like to think so.  No, she preserved and cherished the photographs for another reason.  Now I understand.

A few weeks ago my daughters and both grandchildren were home for a few days' visit.  We had occasional upsets and accidents during their visit, as most families may have, and much of the time we were busy going and doing.  But there was one precious, glorious afternoon when we were all home together, all happy and content in our activities and with each other.   It was a time I hold dear in my memory. 

While Older Daughter took some much-needed leisurely time for herself, Younger Daughter and I took the "babies" for their first ride in the wagon.

When we returned my husband was cleaning Older Daughter's car.  (Look closely.)

Younger Daughter cleared out some brush behind the garage while Older Daughter and the babies sat on the swing, blew bubbles, and played.


There's little left of that precious afternoon when M. was busy being a boy, playing and teasing; when little O. was being her sweet little girl self with her baby-round cheeks; when our daughters were so close my husband and I could speak to them face to face.  That day's gone.  The babies are a month older with more skills, new words, different interests.  And time will go on.  All that's left are these poor, out-of-focus, too-light, too-dark, poorly-framed snapshots.  And my memories of the day.  Not in a hundred years would I think these photographs worth saving except they speak to my heart of a sweet time, a few precious hours, with my dearest loved ones.  Looking at them and remembering that time brings tears to my eyes again.

Now I understand.  Even poor photographs are better than only the memories of a wonderful time. 

--Nancy.

Copyright © 2009-2015 Nancy Messier. All Rights Reserved.

14 comments:

  1. You have some great memories there! I wish I knew all the stories behind some of the Forgotten Old Photos that I collect.:)

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    1. Thanks, Far Side. Yes, I wish I knew the stories in my mom's and grandmother's photo albums, too. I don't suppose I'm doing any better at writing the stories down than they did, though.

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  2. You are so right, Nancy! I wished my ancestors would have had more opportunity to take photos. But me too, I had been so thoughtless and threw away so many snapshots, what I, of course, today regret bitterly.

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    1. Hi, Karen. It's sad, but I'm chuckling. Our ancestors didn't get it right when they neglected to record people's names and dates on their photos. We're not getting it right because we throw photos away! Maybe the next generation will do better?

      Like you, I've thrown away photos. Most of it happened before our children were born when we moved. I threw out photos from my youth that I didn't like anyway. I may never have liked them but it would have been nice to be able to see them now (and maybe hide them instead of throwing them away). When I was younger I wasn't thinking about family history. That's my only excuse. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.

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  3. These are charming photos, Nancy (love the shadows -- you can almost feel the weather that day). I imagine they will delight future generations as much as they delight us all today.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. I don't know about charming photos. Aren't they just the kind of poor snapshots some of us find in our parents' and grandparents' photo albums and bemoan not being able to see the subject clearly? I'm not sure my daughters (or even my grandchildren, when they are older) will appreciate them. Maybe they will mean something only to me....

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  4. Beautiful post Nancy and I think you have it exactly right. So many of my photos are far from professional and yet they help me relive choice times with our family, so I am sure our ancestors did the same thing. Very thought provoking.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle. I do wish I took perfect photographs but without that ability, I'll be happy with the ones I have.

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  5. Such a beautiful post full of sweet memories Nancy. Our daughter, son-in-law and grandson recently visited and I also took photos and even a few videos. They are precious to me and hopefully to future generations.

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    1. Jana, I'm sure your photographs are perfect, or at least nearly so. You are such a great photographer! But perfect or not, they will help you relive sweet memories of precious times.

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  6. Nancy,

    I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today's Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/11/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-november-6.html

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Jana. You are very generous to include this post. I appreciate it.

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I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading what you have to say. Thanks for stopping by.

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