An Unexpected Visit
I’ve recently been going through the last few boxes of stuff we inherited when Mom passed in 2009. It’s been a lengthy process of holding onto stuff then learning to let go—I know you know what I mean. And in the process, I came across a slew of old pics.
This is from early high school years. And to think…back then I really loved this dress!! Seeing that side table reminds me of how many times I dusted it through the years. There was a copy of Leaves on Gold on the bottom shelf (does anyone else remember that book?). And those little Dutch shoes were a souvenir Mom got in The Netherlands on a trip we took when I was nine years old.
My big brother, Doug, and me at Christmas (probably 1966 or so). I was thrilled to get a Mrs. Potato head! Did anyone else love playing with all those parts? The possibilities were endless!
Mom and Dad on their wedding day—March 28, 1952. My maternal grandmother, Dale, on the left. And my paternal grandmother, Agnes, on the right. Dale, Agnes, and Mom (June) are all Home now, waiting to give welcome. Dad is still with us, and I’m cherishing every day with him! In fact, I’m headed back to Atlanta this week to spend time with him.
Mom, me, and Claudette (my mother-in-love). I fell in love with Claudette before even meeting my husband Joe! Claudette was my girl’s club sponsor at Harding College (now University) in Searcy, Arkansas, and once Claudette and June met and put their heads together… Well, the rest was history, as they say. Let’s just say arranged marriages work!
Filtering through these boxes and envelopes of pictures and mementos Mom saved is precious. It feels like a visit with her. An unexpected but cherished one. I’m so grateful.
Have you had a “visit” with a precious passed loved one recently as you’ve sifted through boxes of keepsakes or old letters? Or perhaps you have a memento you hold dear that reminds you of them?
Blessings on your week, friends, and thanks for being part of our community here!
Tammy
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I loved seeing those old photos! And you haven’t changed a bit!! I have two huge boxes of photos and mementos to go through since my mom’s death. It’s been almost two years now and I can’t seem to make myself open the boxes. In many ways, I’m looking forward to the walk down memory lane, but dreading it a little too, since I know it will be emotional. I’m sure you understand that feeling.
Oh yes, I so understand, Deb. I took my time in doing it (as you can see). A little here, a little there. And I’ve still got a few things to go. But those take up much space at all, so I’m saving them for another “visit” down through the years.
Aren’t we grateful for our precious moms?
More than understand the process of going through loved ones belongings. I had my folks things plus my grandparent’s stuff that they had as well.
I found it a slow process of going through and keeping what I thought I should only later to have to reevaluate it all again. Then two years ago when we decided to downsize and move to our dream destination and was going through it all again, I finally realized that I had kept a lot of it just because it belonged to them. So I took a strong look at things and asked myself if I really loved the piece and if it held significant memories that I would make room for it in our new home. I think also the passage of time helped in that decision too.
For me, it was a matter of keeping items until I knew that it was time to let them go, to let them go to a new home to help someone else out or be of importance to someone and not just collecting dust because of who it belonged to. I finally realized that the memories are always there and that it’s ok to let go. I still have some things that I pray will always remain in my home like my Granny’s cowhide rocker or my Mom’s cookbooks and quilted bedspread that she made and all the photo albums of our family through the years but most of all I have my memories that as long as I’m not affected by disease that affects the memory that I will always have and can pull out where ever I am at any time of the day or night without having to go find it.
I can really relate to everything you said, Kay – so true about the process and re-evaluation.
So true, Kay. I love how you phrased it…about taking a strong look at things. As I’ve given a TON of Mom’s stuff away in recent years, I think of it as her life continuing to bless others. And I’m grateful to be a tiny part of that. Thanks for sharing.
Same for you, Betty!Appreciate you sharing.
I agree with Deb, you haven’t changed except for your hairdo. Your dress and pose could go on the cover of a romance novel. I guess it was in your future.
LOL, Lynn! You’re sweet. The years have certainly left their mark, but I do love this current stage of life. Just as I’ve loved every stage along the way. Some were more exhausting than others, granted. But all have been precious in their own right. I know you feel the same. And again, what a great post yesterday!
Thanks for sharing these pictures and your thoughts about letting go. My Mom passed in 2004, but we didn’t go through the boxes and memories until my Dad went into memory care five years later. It was a slow beginning that didn’t really go faster, even after Dad passed in 2011. Like Kay said above, there are many times of re-evaluating, and it takes time to know and feel when letting go is right.
Your posts are always so meaningful. Have a wonderful visit with your Dad.
Thank you, Betty, for your kind words. And for being part of the community here. Knowing you walked this very same road with your dad gives me encouragement. One step at a time, right? Much love, friend.
I love old photos and things – especially old books. Some are signed by original owner… and sometimes I think about them, how did they live,or if they are still alive…
But I am sorry, that my grandfathers and grandmothers are dead, that I already can´ t hear their narrations, that they can´ t describe old photos to me and tell me about their experiences and memories…
I so agree, Blanka. I’ll share a few more photos the next time (ones I’d never seen before), but I feel the very same way about wishing I could speak to my grandparents about what they going through in their lives when those photos were taken. Same for great grandparents. I know so little about them really. Yet they paved the way for me. What a blessing it will be to one day be able to sit down with them and share our faith journeys.
What a lovely post. Of all things, Facebook memories popped up photos of us in England celebrating my parents 60th anniversary. They got a card from the Queen.
Then a photo of my then 9 year old reading to Granddad from her children’s Bible. Thank you.
What treasures those memories and photos capture, Deborah! 60 years! That IS something to celebrate. I love the described image, too, of your child reading to her grandfather. Faith coming full circle. Love it!
I am constantly finding old photos or mementos! It’s so much fun to travel back in time and remember those days and loved ones! Love your dress! I think I had one very similar. Oh, we were in style!
Oh baby, yes we were, Angie! LOL! Like you, I’m grateful for these remembrances of days past. It gives fresh hope for the future! Thanks for sharing!