When you a) take a lot of pictures and 2) are as scatter-brained as I am, you end up with a lot of photos that you forget to do something with. Like these photos, which I took last Summer and then promptly forgot about. I (apparently) uploaded them to work computer and then proceeded to let them languish. This is the digital equivalent of sticking them in a shoebox and forgetting about them. I was scrolling through iPhoto the other day when I stopped and said, “Oh. Wow.”
Let me tell you, people, these photos broke my heart.
It's so easy to forget that he's gone.
My Grandfather died last fall. In many ways, I’m still reconciling myself to the fact that he’s gone. My day to day life contains very few tangible reminders of his passing. We weren’t able to make it down in time to say goodbye (he died the night before our visit) and there was never a formal funeral. I feel his loss deeply, but it comes in the form of a dull ache and a hollow feeling, not in a sharpness or in a tangible feeling of pain.
It’s in finding a forgotten photo directory of his photos that I remember just how much I miss him.
And yet, at the same time, the photos from that day last Summer remind me just how lucky we all are to have had him with us for so long. And at such an incredible quality of life. Not everybody gets to meet their great-grandkids and he just adored my niece and nephew.
I'm pretty sure that I knew exactly what was coming, because I made sure to get several photos of Dmitri and his Papi.
It was a a beautiful day. Sunny, but not too warm, with the slightest of breezes. We sat on my Grandparents’ deck and we talked and we laughed and we enjoyed each other’s company. It didn’t seem all that momentous at the time, just a bunch of people hanging out. Looking back on it, I’m so grateful to have these memories. A moment that I can point to and say, “We were (almost) all together. And we were happy.”
(My sister Allison wasn’t there, and this makes me pretty sad)
How could you hang out with this little cutie and not be happy?
I know it looks like a camera, but that's actually your Auntie.
Cannibalism or not, baby toes are delicious.
Sometimes, I think about the fact that my Grandfather will never meet my children. And it makes me sad. But, then again, I’m just so grateful that he was able to love the hell out of these two.
Sometimes, the days that seem insignificant at the time wind up feeling a lot more meaningful in context. This wasn’t the last time that I saw my Grandpa (we saw him once more at my sister Allison’s wedding). But it’s my last firm memory of his presence. And what a memory it is.
If there is such a thing as Heaven, I wouldn’t mind if it ended up being a day like that one. All of my loved ones together, sitting in the sun, enjoying each other’s company.
Beautiful Hope.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing these pictures, Hope.
You’re very welcome. 🙂
yes. heaven. lovely photos, and you are lucky to have a great family leaving no regrets about time spent and love expressed!
and i have the same disconnect about losing my grandparents, especially since i am far away.. i sometimes forget that i won’t see my Grandma when I go home.
*hugs*
Thanks for making me cry! (<3) It made me think of my own grandpas and grandmas, who haven't been gone that long either.
The cycle of life is amazing
I really did luck out in the family department.
Hugs to you as well. 🙂
If it makes you feel any better, I made myself cry!
It is. It really is.
aaah shucks. so beautiful to look at and read! i definitely want prints of some of these pix so my kids can remember their papi.
I will make sure to get you copies!
These little moments are really what make a happy life. I’m so glad you got this one.
Very sweet photos, proof that even little moments make great memories once they’re gone
Me too!
Thank you! It’s also a good reminder to take the camera out at family gatherings.
This is wonderful! Very heart-warming and honest. I don’t think we ever “get over” a loss, but it’s great to have nice memories like these to ease the pain of losing someone. Seems like a great man!
It doesn’t get better, but I’m told that it gets easier. I probably haven’t grieved enough, so it’s still a major sucker punch to see his photos when I’m not prepared. Although I don’t doubt that it will always be a sucker punch (albeit a smaller one).
Thanks for your kind words. He really was a great man.
[…] news: I will see two of those grandchildren tomorrow. (Here’s a link so you can see both the incomparably adorable Dmitri and Ruby AND daughter Hope’s lovely […]