Heirloom or is it just a photo?

Have you ever visited your Parents house as an adult, and looked through an old photo album? Looked back at the faded candid moments and thought, “I wish I had a better photo of Grandma.”

I miss my Grandma Pauline every day. I miss her fried chicken and homemade biscuits. I miss her kind brown eyes and warm hugs. The way she would run the absolute perfect bath water with bubbles. She was the absolute backbone of our family. She would quietly sit at the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee, cigarette burning in her ashtray, and curlers in her hair. Those are the strongest memories I have of my Grandmother. She was many things to many people. She touched a lot of lives in her short 65 years. She also lived a very beautiful and tragic life. That part, I’m not sure I can fully explain right now… so I’ll just go with the positive.

She has been gone for many years now. I was just a little girl when she died suddenly in the early 90’s. I didn’t know that so many years later, when I would have my own daughters that I would want, need, and wish I had a better photo of her.

I can only think of one single photo of my Grandma where she truly looks happy and beautiful. She was in her 20’s, young and beautiful, smiling with red lips on. I believe it was around the time she got married. I know it sounds terrible about only seeing my Grandmother look beautiful and happy in one photo. She was always beautiful to me, but she hated her photo taken. I can’t be certain of her reasons for that. Pauline never smiled in photos. I think because no one ever gave her the opportunity to put a fresh coat of lip stick on. They just snapped a photo without making sure she was comfortable and ready. I do remember her complaining to the would be photographer every time someone had a camera around.

She would never leave the house without her hair and makeup done. When in public, she believed you should always wear your Sunday best and do up your hair. She was a Lady. Grandma was special. I’ve come to realize she was more influential in my up bringing than I thought.

I’m left without any wonderful and professional photos her. I’m a grownup now with daughters. I want to show my Daughters their family. I want to tell them about Pauline, and all the special things about her. I don’t have anything to show them, except these out of focus pictures. What now?

I want to hang up beautiful family photos on my walls. I want those photos to be the best of those family members. I want to fill my home with those magnificent images, and have my Daughters see the familiar faces daily. The only thing I can do going forward is cherish the photos I do have.. and keep recording the moments ahead. I do this for them.

I question all the time, what am I leaving behind for them? Even, what photo will they use for my obituary? Sorry, I went a bit morbid there. A good photo is important.

I ache for that heirloom photo of my Grandma.

To my Clients: I want to provide heirloom photos for you. Please hire someone to do an incredible portrait of you and your family. If you are not going to do it for YOU… then do it for many generations after you. A photo is not just for the moment. It’s a legacy.