Old photos bring back so many memories. A family friend, Kim, asked me to send her some pictures of our families from the "old days." Granted these days were about 25-33 years ago, but for our families, they were some of the best times of our lives.
A picture is said to be worth 1,000 words, but I say it is even more than that. They take you back to another place and time with memories not only of words, but sounds, smells, and emotions that can't be recaptured any other way.
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"We cannot tell the exact moment a friendship is formed; as in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at least a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses, there is at last one that makes the heart run over."
Unknown
My family moved to Louisiana the summer before I went into 6th grade. Not long after we moved, we met another family in the neighborhood, and the connection was instant.
They had one daughter my age, Kelley. We would be in the same class at school. They had another daughter, Kim, who was a year younger than my brother. Our parents all had many common interests too.
It didn't take long before we were spending almost as much time in their home as we did at our own and vice versa. It didn't feel like a family dinner unless we were all together. This went for all holidays too. The grownups sitting in the dining room while the kids hung out at the kitchen table or in the living room. Friday and/or Saturday nights were reserved for a catfish restaurant in one of numerous locations within a 90 mile radius.
We began taking trips everywhere – first for a couple of days at a time and then eventually longer summer vacations. We would travel to visit their relatives and ours too.
The grownup's favorite trips were to visit our relatives in Kentucky. They loved stopping and shopping at – what felt like – every antique store along the way. They enjoyed being on the tobacco farm and hanging out with my dad's cousins when we arrived.
Us kids – not so much!! Our favorite trips were to Six Flags – or any other amusement park – and the Atlanta Braves ballgames. The one game we remember the most was played against the Houston Astros. What made it so memorable for us was the theft of our hubcaps off the van as we were getting our keys at the hotel. Welcome to Houston, folks!!
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The one trip that we all have so many memories of is the infamous trip out West. This trip lasted for 2 solid weeks. It was 8 of us in a non-assuming, two-toned brown Ford van traveling who knows how many miles on the open road!
As I've gone through these pictures that were taken so long ago, I'm reminded how important this time was in my life. The truth of the matter is this trip is a reminder of when things were right in our lives. When the future was wide open for all of us. When we were all together.
We made it to Arizona, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Pikes Peak, and Jackson Hole. We ate a campfire dinner on a Dude Ranch in Wyoming and rode horses on an Indian reservation in Oklahoma.
We spit gum out the van windows only to be in trouble at each gas stop for it being stuck on the side of the van. Our most favorite memory was using our feet to spell out H-E-L-P in the back window of the van while traveling down miles of interstate. I can't believe no one tried to help us out!
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"When someone you loves becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."
Unknown
Let me explain why these memories are so important now. In the time that has passed, our family of 8 has shrunk into a family of 4. We've lost my dad, my brother, my mom, and our friend's dad. Each one was lost in a different way at a different time through the years. We've all grieved together as we buried them one by one, side by side in a cemetery in our hometown.
With each loss, we revisit the ones who went before. We are always surrounded by others that loved them at the visitations and funerals, but just a glance in each other's eyes brings a peace, a smile, and a remembrance that can't be matched.
Losing so many of your immediate family makes you appreciate the time you did have together. Trust me when I say things were never perfect in our lives, but so much of our lives are totally intertwined from school memories, vacations, college, graduations, marriages, children, and death.
We are connected by our family's friendship in such a unique way no matter how many years pass and how far we are from each other. The other side of it is how we each have our own memories of our time together. We all remind each other of different parts that we may have forgotten along the way. When we have a chance to relive them face to face, we are constantly laughing so hard we cry.
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I want to encourage you to pull out those old photos this week and take a trip down memory lane. Think about how the past has made you who you are today. Think about how the memories – good or bad – have influenced your thoughts, your beliefs, and your life.
Then take a few moments to share some of those memories with you kids. One regret I have is that my mom wouldn't share her past with me. I know it was painful for her, but I believe it would have helped me understand and appreciate her even more.
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Kim, the pictures are on their way!! Hope they bring you as many memories as they did for me. Who knew how much of a treasure they'd be today. I still remember us looking at them when they were developed. You, Kelley, Chris, and I sitting in the kitchen rolling our eyes and thinking how retarded we all looked….
I can't wait for my kids to look back at the pictures we've taken as they've grown up. May those pictures bring as much joy to them as these trip pictures do for me. Taking them back in time to a part of their life where memories are made to last a lifetime!!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I love looking back at photos and all the memories they bring. It always reminds me to be thankful for all that I have and all the good things in my life.
I hear ya, Sue! So glad it’s easier than ever to take and save photos digitally.
Yes, pictures and the little movies we took from years ago are very precious to each of us. Sometimes It seems they mean more to me than the digital ones….because it took more time and we had to wait until they were developed. We waited even longer before we took the picture, isn't it? Loveley post Carla!
I totally agree about loving the older pictures and Super 8 movie clips!
Great read Carla, our memories form us, it is always a part of who we are!
Thanks, Paul!
Family vacations are such treasured memories. And isn't it funny the things we remember from our vacations? Sometimes it's the oddest things that stick in our minds, and provide the best stories later.
You can only imagine how many more memories I have with being on the road for 2 weeks…I couldn’t share them all. I might talk about some of the others in a later post. Thanks, Pam!
This was so touching to read. It's great that you had another great family to grow up with, as well as your own. I love looking at old pictures; as far as vacations go, we didn't go on any (except maybe to Six Flags), but there are a lot of good memories anyway.
Girl, you may have to come help me scrapbook all these old pics one day!! It’d be like old times with the New Orleans trip scrapbook! HA!
It is always fun looking through old photos and reminiscing.
I have more photos than I know what to do with. I love them!
Carla, I'm so glad you shared all this. It was a great time in our lives. That was very sad to read, but also great. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure you understand. Thanks so much! I think we need to write a book. I'm sure the 4 of us can remember enough for a book. What you think?
A book sounds like fun. I think all of our different perspectives would be interesting especially your mom’s take on a lot of it. Something to think about and start working on. It could be our next big project!