When I grew up there wasn’t much money. My father worked in a few different areas some were the oil fields, farming, and cattle feed lots. My mother worked outside the home as well. It was the 1970’s. There were three kids ahead of me, I was the youngest.
As I go through old photographs I find pictures of us together as a family. From the funny colored ones to polaroid shots. The year my Mom got a polaroid it was a big deal! Most of them from my younger years are posed just so and children sitting correctly and looking forward. Smiling when told too.
I can see the paneling behind us and one of us sitting on Mom’s lap. We’re all dressed pretty decent for that era and our hair fixed for sure! Which meant the girls slept with curlers in the night before and the one son, well his hair was slicked down for sure! Everything looks picture perfect although most of our childhood wasn’t picture perfect.
My point is this. There’s a family – in that picture. Whether it be a dysfunctional one, humorous one, beat the crap out of you tomorrow, hug you tonight one, it’s there. Documented. Whatever the type or day it was, a few people came together to capture a memory.
As I grew up I noticed that the family pictures started being taken by a professional. Which meant in that day, Sears or perhaps JCPenneys.
Oh and my mother,when we had a family gathering, you can bet there would be group shots taken. As the number of grandchildren grew, there was a new set of photos to be taken with Grandma.
Looking back, I do wish we had more candid shots but I treasure these posed photos. See, my parents are both gone now. I love looking back and sharing these treasures with my siblings and children.
Most would say I have carried on the tradition that my mother ingrained in me from an early age. To take photos and be in the photos.
I’m sure my son-in-law’s would much rather have it where we take less pictures but most of the time they give their mother-in-law just what she wants. And on a good day I get a really big smile!
When you look at this picture of my family you can see many things.
I know I am very blessed to have 3 daughters, 6 grandchildren, with one in heaven, 2 son in laws, and a husband, to call family. It may look picture perfect. We coordinated the clothes , smiling just right. We even made sure our hair and makeup was picture ready! And look, I channeled my Mom, but I didn’t sleep on curlers overnight! 🙂 Apparently she had more influence on me than I thought! 🙂
This picture is perfect to me but not for those reasons. Mostly because to me even though we may be a family that at times, drives each other nuts or hugs in a moment, possibly snarls at one another, and even judges on occasion, we still come together. We are still family.
So I hope I pass on the tradition to my girls, or maybe even inspire you!
Take the pictures. Be in the pictures. Take candid photos. Take pictures of the people that are sitting around your dinner table or lounging in your living room, the ones cooking in your kitchen.
Taking the photos doesn’t mean you have to post on social media. But if you do be sure to tag them and take a funny one so others can laugh WITH you!
Then one day you can look at the pictures and probably remember a really good time or possibly a not so stellar moment. But more often than not, these images will become treasures.
I was inspired to write this post as I took my daily walk as the sun rose. August is a different kind of month for me as both my parents passed away in August. I think of them often, I look through photos and text my siblings so I can still feel a connection with them. I’m grateful for the treasure of opportunity before me and the family that allows me to have my pictures.
Thanks for stopping by.
Julie
In Between the Sunsets of Life 