Photographs: some people pose for them and some duck shyly away. Another passion my mother instilled in me was a great import upon taking pictures. When I was little she’d dress me up every year and we would go down to Sears to have my portrait made. She hung them all in our living room and through the years they made a giant, conglomerative square. We could not start riding rides at Six Flags until my mother had gotten our pictures taken first. Oh the interminable wait! My uncle loved cameras and gave me my very own when I was seven. I was so proud of it. It had a carrying case and even a space to store flip flashes. Of course, as the current keeper of memories, I now make our little girl wait while I get a picture of us. I hope she will appreciate it one day, too. I remember Uncle Johnny saying to me to take pictures of things that are important. I suppose that definition lies within the eye of the beholder. Renowned photographer Ansel Adams said you don’t take a photograph, you make it. The most gratifying for me has been being in other countries watching family members switch places to try to have at least one picture of themselves taken by an iconic monument. I always like to walk up with a respectful smile and hold my hand out for the camera, indicating they should all get in the picture. The surprise and sheer delight on their faces never fails to make my heart soar. It transcends barriers of race, religion and culture and it is indescribable to watch as they all light up and nod their thanks afterward. It is also lovely and much appreciated when they reciprocate! The commonality of our collective desire unites us. And so we spend a brief blink of time with each other; a convergence of two worlds sharing the same moment. It has been my experience both sides leave the better for it. I have always wanted a family of my own to take barefoot pictures with in the grass. I have only a few family portraits with my parents and that was thanks to church directories. I guess that’s why I chose to put our annual family pictures at the top of my site. They say good things come to those who wait. They certainly do.
Going thru so many old family photos lately, I am saddened by the fact I do not own a picture of my family of six together in one still moment. Lots of individual snap shots from this time or that, but not a one of us united in that memorable still frame. I believe my desire to take “group” pictures of my own little group of three is so important to me now. All the silly faces, crazy expressions, cheek kisses and irritated looks from my peanut gallery, are all moments I desire to catch. They gruff at me, but still oblige my whims to capture moments in time, insignificant to some, priceless to me. Keep snapping those photos, Laura! They are precious and timeless to those of us who admire.
Burk had no idea about Sears. What I also told him was that they faded after all those years in the sun and my mother cried. ANY picture is a treasure. And you have them! Try to get them digital one way or another. Then they will be better archived and you can make collages of the six of you together! I really think having a hard copy of all of you in one frame will fill your heart. The best place I have found is Home Goods. You can get great looking collage frames for under $20 (although putting them in and keeping them all straight is a little bit of a pain, but well worth it!)