Last week my Partner’s Nanna passed away at 95. Her farewell was amazing for 2 reasons. Firstly, the family found a journal she had noted. It took us on a journey into the past, before we all existed, in a time we will never truly understand. It went all the way back to when she first started school, working through the depression and the wars, meeting the love of her life, what she was like as a young woman, how much her children meant to her who are now Grandparents themselves. It was beautiful, insightful and something I will treasure and keep a copy of for my children.
Secondly, this was accompanied by a slideshow of her life. Photos of her as a teenager being playful with her new husband, first houses, babies, xmas gatherings, getting older and living. Each photo with her in it was a special treat.
I was reminded of the importance of these photos and saddened by the number of people who excuse themselves out of being in them. Photos serve to remind us of a time in our lives and even more important for the generations yet to come. They will not care if you’re greys were showing, having a fat day, have no make up on, hair is a mess, look the fool or the house is a shambles. They will care if there are none to show and share.
Imagine this: Here is the house we bought just before we got married (picture of house), here is my first born baby who I love dearly (photo of baby), here is the fabulous xmas spread we put on that year (photo of table or everyone else who was there minus me), here are the fabulous places we travelled (photo of your kids in front of landmark), here is my 50th birthday cake (not of me).
I would much rather my family see the house we bought with us standing in our gardening gear looking a mess because we worked so hard, my baby in my arms with my double chin and extra baby weight, the whole family at the xmas gathering because next year everyone will look different and there is always a chance someone might not be around next year, me with my family in front of landmarks proving I was there enjoying the experience with them, me at my 50th and beyond showing my lines and wrinkles as i become older and my life experience grows
A good reminder to record ‘THE NOW’. Forget about what you look like and get in the photos with your kids. Show that you are there and enjoying the moment with them.
I’ll get off my soap box now and make sure someone takes some photos with me in them over Xmas.
Happy Christmas
My Christmas card this year
Each of these photos was chosen for it’s importance in our family this year. Mostly all phone snaps and don’t make the cut for the photography but for the memory it holds for us.
