Old photos lead to Memory Lane

Thanks to progress (but no thanks, really, for me) most folks now have seemingly immeasurable numbers of photos on their hand-held phone/camera/Internet/history/law library/texting thingies. No more hard copies, as far as I can see (approximately 20 miles on a clear day).

Not so for this codger. Thus, I recently came across (found lurking in a closet) several cardboard boxes of, ta-da!, old actual photos, what we used to call snapshots. You see, younger citizens, we would take film from our cameras and get it developed and turned into hard copy photos. Cool.

Upon opening the boxes of black-and-white (really!) and color shots, we began wandering down Memory Lane. Talk about photo opportunities.

There were scenes of past pets: cats, dogs, a goat, a pig, two Shetland ponies, geese, a donkey, chickens, a tarantula, a few rabbits, an old ewe. Not to mention an amazing variety of cars, pickup trucks, bicycles, houses, hamburgers, trains, trees and clouds even. Plus many shots of people: old, young and in-between.

We saw ourselves in 1964 at our wedding and reception. There were wide-grinned family members including our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, in-laws and outlaws. There were even some folks we did not recognize, but they were dressed properly for the events. Who are those people?

We had a nice selection of our three children from birth through many years of their lives including high school graduations and school performances including being on sports teams. There were shots of family members and friends (I suppose) at potluck picnics, barbecues and various other get-togethers. Some of them seemed intent on being silly by holding a hand before their faces or sticking out their tongue or making rabbit ears for someone in front. Who are these people?

It was a morass of memories. You cannot believe how some recollections cause strong emotions leading to wet eyes. It is difficult to realize and believe how the years have rolled by until you begin to review and maybe relive for a moment what has passed.

You see yourself in what now would be considered funny clothing and funnier eye-glasses. My hair was not as thin as it is now; but who wants fat hair? My body was not so bulky. Some photos seemed a bit embarrassing as we wore bell-bottom jeans, polyester suits and wide ties. One of us (not me) wore granny dresses and quite long hair pulled tight and flowing down her back (my late wife).

With so many photo remembrances from vacations to birthday parties, many will be sent to our two sons and one daughter. Then they can view the past and wonder, “Who are these people?” Such is life.