I have a Cardboard Box

by the Lady of the Lake

Apple-Box Memories

I have a cardboard box - a box which once contained rosy red apples from Fairview Orchards in Oliver B.C. The apples long eaten and digested, the box now contains Photos in Frames of several family images. When we moved house and homestead four years ago, the box was packed with pictures and had remained unopened until now.

So, rooting through my apple box, I rediscovered many picture frames in sizes from 2” square to the large 8 x 10 very close, close-up portrait of Hubby’s MIL, which he affectionately refers to as the “Eye-a Toll-ah”s picture !!!!

The frames are made of varying materials, stretching from many different wood grains to glass, ceramic, and plastic. The photographs themselves, span many years and family members; those both present and “passed”. There are in-laws, out-laws , nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters; mostly children, but some adults as well. There are the proverbial “school pictures”; those un-naturally posed kids with cow-licks seated in front of painted screens. (usually blue) And some captured, impromptu glimpses of laughter, fun and special moments in time.

It amazes me to see how faded some of these photos have become. Sitting, as they used to be on shelves in a quiet room of our former home, I did not notice how they were becoming fainter. I also wonder if I did really display them all – all those images of people, some of whom are with us no more – all those sweet toothless smiles of children, who now have children of their own. Photography has changed so much in the last few years and since I have finally succumbed to the digital camera of today’s genre, I find that I truly miss using my 35mm. SLR with its requisite roll of film inside; the long telephoto lens which allowed me to capture crystals hanging from a spider’s web necklace one foggy morning in time !

But, the photographs remain, faded, though they may be. We have all enjoyed capturing and preserving snapshots of our lives and loves; marking our paths of life.

Someone I know has surrounded herself with pictures of ancestors; as many as she can tastefully display in a modern home. Surely, those images of past family members are as important to her as their blood cursing her veins.

So, may all our photographs, be they sepia-toned postcards, black and white “vintage’ variety, faded colour prints from later years, or the digital style of today survive and chronicle the life and people whom we once knew and whom we once were.

Dig out your apple boxes full of pictures, dust them off, replace the broken glass and fill your shelves and your hearts with these visual memories.

-----for familytreefriday -----------

signed, the willow for the lady of the lake