What does a photo mean to you? To me it is a moment in time, a memory, a glimpse into someones life. A single image can stir up so much emotion. That is just that happened to me this morning. My mother scanned and loaded several old photos to face book. Upon seeing them I was immediately over joyed and on the verge of tears all at once. All the memories of my childhood came flooding back, along with the sad feeling of loos. My children will never know my Grandparents nor did my Grandparents ever get to see me and my sisters as adults; with focus and goals, I know they would be so proud. I lost both my Grandparents six long years ago. I still miss them more then words can explain. They were both driving forces in my life. My Grandpa was always willing to help with homework or make my best friend and I a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He taught me the value of a dollar and how to punch, should I ever need to defend myself. I will never forget the tree house complete with a ramp for Tillie (my beloved golden retriever) that he helped my sister and I build. Grandma was always willing to listen and offer a kind word of advise. She was an amazing cook. Much to my husband dismay, he just can not get her spaghetti and meatballs right. Because of her a fried egg sandwich still makes the world a little less scary to me. For the first years of my life Grandma and Grandpa were the best neighbors a girl could have. I can not even remember how many time I “ran away” from home. Little did I know that as I was hiking across the field that separated our house my mom was calling ahead to let Grandma know I would be there soon. Sometime around 4th grade they moved to a house next door to my elementary school. That is when my addiction to the soap opera All My Children started. Grandma set up her VCR to record it everyday and she would watch when Grandpa took his afternoon nap. When that last school bell rang I was out the back door down the ally and in Grandmas kitchen as fast as my legs would get me there. She would make me a fried egg sandwich as Grandpa handed me a soda. He would go settle on the couch in the front porch as Grandma and I got cozy in the living room to watch our beloved soap. I still 25 years later watch that dang soap opera. The day they announced it’s cancellation I immediately thought of my grandma and all the fond memories I have of watching it with her. I could go on and on forever about all the emotions and memories that seven pictures brought back, but I will get to the point and show you the pictures. So I want to know what is a picture worth to you?
They say a picture is worth a thousands words. To me, today, these pictures are priceless, Not only do they project a visual image of the parents I loved so dearly, they magically gave me a look into my own daughters heart and soul. Thanks for everything, Mom and Dad, your legacy lives on. Thanks Kate, for being just one of the torch bearers. You are right, your grandma and grandpa would be so proud of all you they would be jumping for joy.
Oh Kate… this was such a beautiful post. You made me all teary reading it! I miss my grandparents, too, and I’m so thankful I have so many wonderful pictures to remember them by. Thanks for the reminder, and I LOVE seeing the pictures of your beloved grandparents.
I was already getting emotional reading what you wrote, but then to read your mom’s comment really has me emotional now. You are the torch bearer. How beautiful is that? A picture preserves memories, makes us laugh, and makes us cry. Gosh, Kate. What a beautiful post. I’ve never had a fried egg sandwich. You’re gonna have to make me one whenever we finally meet. <3
For sure Laura
and thanks for the love ladies
Oh, Kate! I’m totally bawling over here! This is such an amazing and emotional post. These images are so powerful, so, so powerful. You know, I don’t have many pics of my grandparents, especially my paternal grandmother. My father’s family was very, very poor. How I wish I could have seen her as a child, as a young adult. <3