January 30, 2012

Memory Lane Monday - A Box of Photographs...

 This is the house where I grew up. When I was five years old, we moved into 184 E. Division Street in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It was a large two-story home with three bedrooms upstairs, and one more tiny room with a closet that I convinced Mum to let me move into once I became a teenager. (I mean, who wants to share a room with their sister for-ev-er?) If I close my eyes, I can still walk from room to room, seeing every little nook and cranny, as though it were yesterday. (This picture was actually taken to showcase our shiny, new station wagon out in front, rather than the house. Just make believe it's not there, ok?)

See those three windows behind the balcony on the second floor? Well, the two on the left side belonged to the bedroom that I shared for many years with a messy, younger sister. Being more of an anal OCD organized person, I constantly picked up after her so that Mum wouldn't trash the room empty closets and dresser drawers (that we shared) in her ongoing efforts to teach us how to be tidy. Ah, yes, how we spent many a Saturday morning...but, I digress.
What I really wanted to share today was this photograph. A family photo taken on the front porch of that old house, with all the memories that well up inside me when I look at it.

I see my grandparents (my beloved Grandpa with his arm around me in the front row), little cousins, my younger brother next to me and that messy little sister (she still is, by the way!) right in the middle of the group with our grown cousin's (her godmother) hand on her shoulder. I see my Uncle Larry (right behind Grandma on the left with his arm on her shoulder) who passed about eight years ago. He was only five years older than me and the closest I'll ever have to an older brother, and I think of him often. My father (Don't smile at any cost!) in the shirt and tie on the right. Aunts and uncles smiling for the camera - and Mum (up in back) looking down the stairs to be sure her kidlets were being good little angels.

I have a special fondness for these old group photos. Between Handsome and me, we have a lot of them. Memories of days when families took the time to travel to be together. When they cared and looked out for each other.

Many of the people I love(d) in this picture have gone. But there are still people who shine in my life like brilliant stars in the night. I'm grateful to still have them to share some of these precious memories.

Life goes on. Change is inevitable, but those memories of meals, laughter, happier days spent with people I loved are seared in my memory - and will last forever, thanks to a box filled with photographs like these.
Thank you for letting me share another Memory Lane Monday today. I apologize that it's late, and thank Marydon from Blushing Rose for reminding me. (Ah, yes. Senior Moments. I've come a long way from that picture, Baby!)

I'd love it if you'd like to share a memory, too! My link will be open until a week from now, so just write your post and add it back here. See you with another memory next month.
Photobucket

11 comments:

  1. Ahhhhhhhhh! What a lovely family gathering. I am so glad you have such warm snuggly feelings still. That is how it should be with every family. Love that house. And that spankling new car ...

    Wow! Your Mother did what MY Mother would do ... I hated having to stay in on Sat. to 'clean' up the room.

    Let me tell you, putting any family members in the same room with our family is an Irish disaster ...

    I just love that wedding pics of yours Donna ...

    Have a beautiful day.
    TTFN ~
    Hugs,
    Marydon

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  2. Oh cousin- I have a tear in my eye. I think of Aunt Emma and Uncle Hank so often and there they are. A picture of Aunt Lottie?... i love this photo. I will have to get a copy when I visit. I think you are correct my dad must have taken the picture. Mom didn't drive in those days, how else would we have gotten there? It must have been almost time to leave, all of us kids look SO sad. Great Post! Love You- sheree

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  3. What a fun Monday with Memory Lane~ Love the old photos, I was wondering when you were going to put your post up, I had been waiting... Glad to see someone else Forgets too!
    I love the old photos you posted, that Car is so cool, we all had station wagons back then, I think we had a Pink one, hope I can find photos for that~ Thanks for sharing & doing this linky party, it is a good reason to dig out the old pics & Remember~ Have a wonderful week
    xox
    Cheryl

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  4. What a wonderful look into the past. We do tend to lose ourselves in the day to day and fail to make those needed contacts a priority. Your post makes me see that!

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  5. Fun glimpse into the past. What is it about a porch? Loved them then, love them more now. BTW, I missed you last post - you were one beautiful young woman who is just as lovely now!

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  6. Donna, what a neat post! I love the picture of the family on the front steps.

    You might already know about google maps that you can see your old address as it is now...so cool

    http://maps.google.com

    Then just type in your old address!

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  7. The good lookin kid in the front, wanting to be anywhere other than being pin downed and wearing a bow tie... Now that is a guy after my own heart....

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  8. Absolutely love both those photos but the family group is awesome. I could look at old photos all day.

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  9. Old photos are wonderful; thanks for showing them. They bring back such memories for you.

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  10. What an incredible house (and station wagon I might add!). What wonderful family photo girlfriend! Makes me laugh when I think about all the people shoved in houses back then and to think the same size house now fits two people nicely. ;)

    Hugs!

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  11. I am glad Marydon reminded you and that you wrote this post to share. Great family photo and story. I can see the car was the focal and not the house as the car looks almost as big as the house. I adore the photo of you below with your cute attitude smiling stance. I will have to pass this month for MLM as no photos in this computer. Happy memories dear...

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna