I had other ideas for this post, but a week or so ago my daughter handed me this photo, saying, “Let’s get a bigger print to put on the wall.” It’s sat on my side table, asking to be dealt with. The more I’ve looked at it, the more I’ve seen that can be treasured. I think the little color lights in the upper right indicate Christmas time. My sister is on the left, my mom on the right. I’m in the middle. I’m the only one of the three still living.
The Chinese chest was brought to the U.S. by ship with my mom’s parents, probably around 1930. It’s in my home now, under a painting by my mom. Same with the couch my sister is sitting on. I still have the lamp whose shade my mom wove.
A simple photo can contain small precious objects, seemingly mundane when taken as a whole. The pillow behind me indicates someone slept on the couch. We loved coming together for the holidays, from far and wide, gathering at my parents’ home a few blocks from the beach, north of Ft. Bragg in Northern California.
We haven’t yet been able to replace, or even replicate the mornings with coffee and mussed hair, gathering holly and pine cuttings to decorate a table that sometimes at nine or more for dinner, games after, with raucous laughter. It can take time to start a new dynasty, or to even establish a warm holiday haven for our now smaller family.
Instagram pics:
Marie Judson 
This photograph is amazing. I totally agree it should be blown up. It has such an ethereal quality. How wonderful it is in your possesion!
LikeLike
Thank you, Robin. It’s lighting captures a sort of Little Women story quality, doesn’t it? I think I’d only try to get it to about a 5×7″ size.
LikeLike
What a beautiful memory. I love that you still have the pieces that tie you to the photo and your mom and sister. I’m sorry they’re not still with you. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Thank you, Janet. Very kind of you!
LikeLike