I find I often leave Anvilcloud’s blog feeling inspired. This visit was no exception. His post on A Short Story Made Long reminded me of how our Christmas Present is so forever intricately interweaved with our Christmas Past.
In no time I found myself leafing through my own too small accumulation of vintage Christmas photos, finding more than one forgotten treasure and quickly losing myself in the cascade of attached memories.
I think my favourite is this one.
My first Christmas with my first dog, Bing.
I must have been about 8 months old in this photo and I do appreciate how the memory that I carry is in truth an interlacing of the act of looking at this picture a zillion times and listening to the words of my mom and dad’s related stories.
“Tell me again about Bing, Mom… please, please.”
And mom would once more tell the story of how, when she was very pregnant with me… just weeks before I was born, Dad walked into their home with this humongous dog in tow.
Dad loved dogs!
Mom had never owned one in her life.
Both Mom and Dad made light of this in their stories, but it must have been quite the adjustment for Mom… pregnant, setting up a new home… and now the proud owner of this monster of a dog.
But there must also have been a grain of truth in the telling of how Mom quickly came to love this big goof of a dog because for all the years that followed, a sleeping dog (Bing long gone) could almost always be found at my dad’s feet.
Another favourite… a little bitter sweet.
Me (the oldest at three) and my sister (must have been about 18 months)
The years have brought some strife to our relationship. I look at this picture and I know I must do my part to mend this.
And then there is this one.
The three sisters, each of us busy, busy and very into our Christmas loot. I so remember that cowgirl outfit… I loved it.
My dad was a cattle buyer by occupation and in the eyes of his little girls, a true cow boy. Now here was I… just like my dad.
I am thinking that this post has evolved into being about photography as much as it is about Christmas. It seems to me that it somehow demonstrates the power and value of old photos and the role they play in keeping otherwise forgotten moments alive and remembered and treasured.
So here is my simple wish for you… the merriest of Christmas’s and the best of New Years. May you carry both the warmth of the past and present close to your heart.
And if you get the chance in all the hustle and bustle that is Christmas, I hope you find the time to snap a Christmas photo or two. I’ll just bet ya, that someday and to someone… that captured moment will bring a smile and spark a memory.
How dear. I was telling Sarah about the photo of you with Bing that you posted on Facebook just the other day.
Merry Christmas to you all. I know you will have a ownderful day with your grandbabies. I was with Ella this past weekend. We went to Virginia for a nephew’s wedding. She was the flower girl…adorable, of course.
Bing looks like he might have gotten mixed in by mistake with the cattle your dad was buying.But what a very sweet face.
Looking back at Christmas photos can be a happy-sad experience when some of the faces are no longer here.
Yes Jan.. that is so true. I miss my Dad everyday and only more so at Christmas. But these photos, and my memories keep him with me, always.
Here is just one more.
This must have been taken on Christmas Eve. Dad is pointing out our Christmas Dolls under the tree to our “then dog”. I’m sure he is saying something like… “look but don’t touch”. Any way.. these photos now have me smile.
I’m glad I was able to perspire you. :)
Oh, Col…I havn’t seen these in years…I love this post! You are so right…things forgotten, once again come alive in the pictures. Thanks so much for sharing these….ps…the pic of you and Bing…you and Alyssa look so much alike!! Can you see it too?
Happy Christmas Colleen.
Your photos of Christmas past are something very special.
your dad was a cattle buyer too. my dad was a horse trainer and trader more of the time but cattle too for a while.
I got a few dozen photos of this christmas. hopefully they will be of some similar use one year for the niece and nephew.
hope you have a good holidays.
Hi Col How lovely to listen and walk through Christmas past. Its a special time for family even if some are not with us and silly emotions prevent that from happening. Hope yours was a wonderful one all your granbabies.Love to all Sheilaxoxo
Thanks for sharing your vintage photos. Perhaps “Bing” inspired you to become the dog lover you are.
Happy New Year
I am so glad I came over to see this. What a beautiful post. And I loved the old photos, especially with Bing…you were so sweet! I hope you and your little sister mend your rough patch. Maybe that is something wonderful 2010 holds for you.