Picture this

I have always taken a lot of pictures.  Special occasions or just everyday hanging out, I took the opportunity to snap a few photos.   I had a little 110 camera that required film that had to be mailed off to be developed.  One Christmas a few years ago I was given a digital camera.  I can order pictures from my computer and have them sent to a local store to be picked up in an hour.

Our photos have always been organized and placed in books with labels.  I have made history books for each of our sons with photos of their grandparents, great grandparents and other family members. One day my sister commented that there are no pictures that included my dad, mom, sister, brother and me.  I looked through all of my books; Christmas, birthdays, even our wedding album.  No pictures existed of  the 5 of us, not even a group photo of us just sitting around.  I was very disappointed that we had never made an effort to ensure we had a picture with the whole family.

Eric and I now try very hard to make sure that we have photos of us with our children and grandchildren.  I don't know where our books will end up in years to come.  I hope our grandchildren enjoy looking at their dads when they were little boys,  I hope they enjoy seeing how their daddies were dressed up for Easter and how excited they were on Christmas morning to open their stockings.

As I have told Eric several times, if we ever have to evacuate our home, grab those books.  We have a lot of memories stored in them.

My Special Day

Several years ago when I was a little girl, we visited my grandmother every Sunday.  Once a month after our visits, my mother and I would drive into the city where there were a few big department stores.  Sometimes for a special treat, we would stop at a fast food place near one of the stores.  In the early 60s, fast food places were not common.  People just didn't eat out like they do today.

To celebrate my birthday this week, my family asked where I wanted to eat.  I replied, '"McDonalds", because we were going to be celebrating on Sunday.  I explained that going to eat there would remind me of the special times my mom and I had.

A few years ago when Eric and I were in Illinois, we found the site of the first McDonalds restaurant.  It was exactly like the one where we would eat on Sundays.  It was a good stroll down memory lane for us as we began to talk about our childhood.  Such little things back then now seem like big things.

The 10 of us ate lunch together yesterday.  The little ones had their burgers, fries and orange drink.  Just like I had, years ago.  I wonder if they will remember it in years to come.