Wednesday..full of WONDER!

Last nite, after an unexpected delightful phone call from a cousin down in middle Florida..

i began searching for requested photos of family members..

In the course of that search, I stumbled upon  quite a few "forgotten" photos..

which led me down memory lane..again..

and again!

Funny how the Holidays seem to trigger our most basic of beloved memories..

those so cherished..

and at times, painful to remember..

yet stored away in the most protected corners of our hearts.. 

last nite  opened my heart..

and the teary floodgates flowed..

for loved ones no longer here on earth in the physical sense.

now..spending eternity in their heavenly home...

i wept for friendships lost..

because of whatever reason..

silly..too lazy to keep up..distance..interests outgrown/changed..

but because i am  a photographer..

and never  EVER toss photos..

my files are bulging at the seams..

and each time as i view them again..

the images spring to life on my screen..

and i remember..

that particular moment frozen in time!

Such is the case with these..

was living/stationed  in Newport Rhode Island  at the time..

his kids were coming up for Christmas..

Up from Brunswick GEORGIA!

Amy wanted to play in SNOW..

Her brother was open to anything outdoors..

As Newport was totally devoid of snow at the time..

we headed up to Brunswick MAINE to visit friends..

they assured us there was PLENTY of snow..

everywhere!

the four hour drive passed quickly..

and we arrived safely to our friends' house..

and settled in..

next morning.. out to the hilly golf course..

to the best sledding hill in the area..

with kids and toboggan sled in tow..

unabashed FUN ensued!!!

laughter..followed by snowball fights..

dares on the toboggan rides..

good clean winter fun!..

and by chance.. we caught the eye of someone with a camera..a local newspaper reporter/photographer who was there...enjoying the colorful scene..of sledding kids!

she came over to ask permission to use photos taken/get names of the kids.. thus learning  of the connection between the two Brunswicks..

we ended up being the lead story and photos in the Lifestyle section!!!

Yep..that's me ..Brunswick, Maine  1986

1986..with Amy, 

then step-daughter up visiting from Brunswick, Georgia

sadly, divorce is not pleasant..

and as is most often the case,

it is the love for and of those extended family members which is lost..

Amy was a case in point..

my heart still remembers the funtimes we shared over the course of my many years with her dad..

as i watched her grow from sensitive youngster, 

treading through treacherous teens into young adult.. 

and lastly ..a Mom..a very loving mom!

I like to think she still carries a bit of me within her memories..

and maybe, just maybe, some of my positive reinforcement stuck with her.. 

Up to my ARSE ..Denver, Colorado 2006

In the present,

my new world includes a very caring and loving hubs, 

his two grown "kids"..three grands..

with a fourth due anytime..

hopefully before year's end..

and finally..my/our three feline furbabies..

Here's hoping for your enjoyment of cherished memories from the past ..

as well as making/creating new ones..

here in the present..

moment by moment..

Kodak or not..

these are the times of our lives!

Outdoor Wednesday

White Wednesday

Watery Wednesday 

Wordless Wednesday

Rednesday

A-Z Monday..P..

P..is for many things:

PLENTY of words...

..perfect,

..photos,

..preserving,

..past,
Parents.
Blame it all on them!

I was their first child, arriving with no directions, 

or skills for parenting.

..so they just made up the rules as they went along!

always hoping for the best

Precocious and inquisitive was I..

Pretty? nope,A tomboy ..yes!

"Pretty was as pretty did"..so said Mom.

Many times found me being far from pretty!

A Daddy's girl, his little fishing buddy..

and constant shadow,

He was my hero..

Survival of the other three siblings was through FEAR
..as I bravely tested the waters, pushed the parents to their limits and yes, 
frequently and  sorely tested their patience.
Secretly they admired my antics,and achievements,
but dared not to copy me.
I was one of a kind, unique, marching to my own drum..
But parents do know best..
I think it is an inborn trait..
This flow of knowledge spews forth at the birth of their firstborn..
With that knowledge is the secret of getting revenge..
which emerges with the birth of their first Grandchild!
Whatever my son Keith wanted, he got..from Poppy and Granny..
Their freezer and pantry stayed stocked with all his favorites..
And where he wanted to go, they went,and stayed until He was ready to go..
but their sweetest revenge of all was when Keith would utter these words..
"I don't have to, Poppy said so!
You can't make me, Granny said I didn't have to!
I don't Like you. you are a meanie!.
I love Poppy and Granny  the BEST!
Sadly, my mom passed away when Keith was only  three..
but the two of them had formed a very strong,loving bond.
Keith learned to enjoy and love the secrets of the outdoors,from her.
And from Poppy, he learned trust, honor and  unconditional love..
My parents were married for twenty eight years before her death at age fifty two..He was fifty eight..recently retired,full of hopes and plans for their future.
He picked a site ,shaded by a small oak tree..as her final resting place.
His was next to hers ,waiting for him.
When his time comes,he asked, please,follow this as a last request...
He wanted nothing fancy as funeral attire, no suits and ties...
just plain overalls and a new white shirt, freshly starched and ironed..
I asked why?
His answer was simple and full of love as he said.....
"It's been a long time,so I've got to make sure she sees me!
She wouldn't recognize me dressed any other way"
Daddy has been gone from me for sixteen years now...
and not a day goes by that he is not in my thoughts..or actions
Together at last ,they  rest eternally in the shade of the now giant oak tree..
as in life and now in death..in love.


P is also for Precious..
..as in precious memories of parental guidance.laced with love ..
steering my way to be the very best at whatever I would choose to be!
And preserving their  memory as a legacy for my son....

Pop on over to Jen at Unglazed.to see other P participants