It was long before the social media took over our lives – long before phones were there with cameras to capture the moments of our lives. But there are a few – oh so very few – photos that grab my childhood and put it down for posterity.
Over the next several posts (or so) I will share ten childhood memories
and lessons I glean for today.
It was long before the social media took over our lives – long before phones were there with cameras to capture the moments of our lives. But there are a few – oh so very few – photos that grab my childhood and put it down for posterity.
I was the youngest of four children. The first three kids had baby books (kind of a pre-FaceBook page with childhood memories.) With each succeeding child, the input into the baby books decreased. And by me, I guess they just got tired of trying to record it. Or maybe I was so overwhelming, so lovable, so delightful that the memories were so vivid … no record on paper is necessary. All I know is my brothers took this circumstance to emphasize their story I was adopted. While nothing is wrong with adoption – they rubbed it in.
There is little in existence that supports my early childhood, but there are a few things. I do think I was unplanned. Before me, my family had an oil panting of themselves – father/mother/three kids. One brother said this was one of his fondest memories of childhood (pre-me)! Ouch.
I remember very little before age seven. My earliest memory is the moon landing. But I was around. I have proof.
This pic shows one of my earliest, possibly first, Christmas times. It was at my grandparents’ house in Mt. Airy (Mayberry). The other is a church directory photo.
Oh, there are more photos. But mostly of the other three. It doesn’t matter. Every photo could disappear, every paper trail could vanish – and I would still be their sibling, still the child of Faye and Robert, still the favorite.
Today, the culture is different. Photos are abundant. The digital age makes sharing photos as simple as a click on a computer, a push of an icon on phone, an open connection on FaceTime.
There are photos of my son. I have digitalized them and share them, but they too were originally on paper.
But now, there is my grandson – 1200 miles away – and I don’t have to wait for photos, dropping the film off, waiting for development, then getting duplicates to send relatives. Days, weeks, or longer. Now, I open my phone, even just look on my watch, and see the latest of my heart’s joyous smile, hear his laughter, and delight watching my son and DIL grow as parents.
There is strength in being able to see events and growth in the very moment (or very close to it) and react as well. (and a strength in being able to cover what is NSFW) … But the closeness should not just be in the digital realm – it needs to be in the spiritual.
- Pray for your family and loved ones
- Share with them your joys and burdens
- Care for each other, knowing their joys and burdens
- These connections are what survives the ages, relationships are vital
- The spiritual is the most important, not the physical
- Take photos/videos when you can, but rely on the relationship, not the photo
My childhood memories go beyond the visual record – they are real – and I know that even though my parents are no longer here on earth, there will be a day we reunite in the presence of our Lord.
That is something that will never be forgotten.
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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