An old photo album from my mother's side of the family occupied a spot on the shelf of my parents' home for as long as I can remember. It now has a home on my bookshelf. I have looked at that album numerous times throughout the years, but this week when I looked at the photos, it was as if I had new eyes.
The people seemed to come to life again, and I saw details that have always been there but previously escaped my attention. For the first time I noticed what they were wearing, saw the backgrounds, looked intently at faces and into their eyes. The looks on their faces seemed to indicate they felt those moments would last forever, but now almost 100 years have passed since those photos were taken. This made me realize that the photos we take today most likely hold the same look and just as these people are now long gone, so we will be someday. Yet we often live our days as if we believe our time will not come to an end. It's an odd human trait.
It also occurred to me that even though most of these photos were most likely taken between 1920 to 1950, they were very clear. Another amazing revelation was that these were poor rural folks and yet had access to a camera and the means to develop photographs. I also lamented the fact that I hadn't asked my mother more about the names and circumstances, and now it's too late.
My intention is to make scrapbooks of all these old photos so they can be enjoyed for years to come, and these people will not be forgotten.
Thought for the day: We do not remember days, we remember moments.....Cesare Pavese
