This is my history. This is me, standing in the middle. Behind me are two of the women that came before me. In front are the woman and the soon to be woman that came after me.
There is power in these photos. The power of continuance. The power of an unbroken thread, that came down through history, passes through me and then continues on into the future...
The woman on the left is my Grandmother. She was an incredible woman. She was loving and strong. I owe her my life. I lived with her and my Granddad, for the first seven years of my life. The unconditional love and security that she gave me during those years, gave me the strength to survive the bad years. I will always be grateful to her for those gifts.
The woman on the right is my Mother. Until I was 7 years old, I thought she was my Aunt. My relationship with her is and has always been, very difficult. I have a number of half written posts on my blog, about our relationship, that I will post one day.
This is me, at 17 months old, taken in the front garden of my Grandparent's home in Wanganui, NZ. I love this photo, for so many different reasons. Don't I just look so happy and mischievous !!! :-)
My daughter Christina at 5 years old. I can see the same glint in her eyes as I see in my own. She also is an incredibly strong woman and a mother of four wonderful children. Once the youngest starts school this year, she's hoping to go back to school herself and get her Midwifery degree. I am extremely proud of her.
Then there is Sacha, my Granddaughter. She's about to turn 12 and on the verge of those teenage years and young womanhood. I'm looking forward to the excitement of seeing her grow into a woman who will be, in her own way, just as strong as that line of women that came before her...
Does anybody else also get that chill (in a nice sense) when you look behind you and see the generations of women that have helped make you who you are today ? Then you look in front of you and see the beginnings of the generations that will stretch ahead and know that you, along with those behind, will play your part in forming who they will be.
Awesome, isn't it? :-)
152 comments:
Awesome photos.... I have a photo of my grandmother, my mother, me, my daughter and my granddaughter Brylee.... 5 generations of women all together in the one room, and all mother/daughter lines. ! My grandmother has since passed on, so never again!
What a beautiful post! I love your baby picture... What a honey baby. xx Tressa
Wonderful post. You give me a lot to think about. I am so glad that your grandmother was there for you and you've be honest about the fact that life and relationships are not always fairy tales. It is amazing to see five generations and think about how all these women are connected.
Terrific post......and you were one cute kid!!!
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
Karen, what a fabulous, insightful post. You brought tears to my eyes. All of these pictures are wonderful treasures and they're beautiful!!
I love the picture of you at 17 mos! Causes an instant smile!!
What a wonderful post, and priceless pictures.
Those are great photos. I know exactly what you mean about the woman who came before and the next generation. I don't think I truly appreciated my Grandmas and my Mom, and their strength, until I became a Mother.
It is very awesome to see apst generations and future ones. I am lucky enought to ahve five genreations fo women still alive in my family. My Great Grandma, Grandma, Mom, Me, and my daughter. I was also lucky to get a picture of all five of us a few yuears ago when my daughter was still a baby.
I love old photos!
I love old photos. Those are sweet :D
Such a touching post. Thank you.
What a treasure to have all those pictures. It really does reinforce who you are:-)
Thanks for stopping by my blog today:-) I hope your tomatoes come in soon:-)
I love the feeling that comes from looking back (and forward) it amazing. Thank you for sending me on my own personal journey.
God you sound like me i'm 35 and lived with my grandma off and on till i started school. i love my grandma to death there is nothing I wouldn't do for that women. I just hope she is sill alive when my daughter has a little girl. The day I lose her (mygrandma) I afraid my world will come tumbling down. It hurts just to say that -- I talk to her more than my own mom. I think we talk almost everyday. Anyway loved the pictures and the post hope you stop by by blog again.
What a beautiful post! Thanks for stopping by-I will be back!
I think it is wonderful that you have all of these photo's! My hubby lost most of his historical photos when his parents died so I know how precious these are!
Yes...I feel the same. I have strong women in my past and I see them in my future too! You have spoken for a lot of us today!
What awesome photos! I think sometimes a lot of us forget to look at the women that came before us and even after. Thanks for reminding me!
Fantastic and beauifully written post!
What a wonderful photo montage! I love the multi generations! Beautiful women!!
It's VERY cool to see generations of woman like that! You sure were cute!! Good luck to your daughter with her career as a midwife--that sounds very exciting!!
Wow! What a great post. And you are so right...that it is chilling (in the good way) to see the past - and to think about the future. There are three generations of women under my roof. And I think my children are soooo fortunate to have grown up with their grandmother - and their mother in the same household.
And I know what you mean about half written posts. I must have a dozen as well. And sometimes I just can't gather the words for what I want to say. Or sometimes just the courage to push the publish button...
Awesome pictures! I just love the picture of you mother & grandmother.... what incredible memories photography keeps alive! And your granddaughter... she's just gorgeous!
how sweet and what a great idea for a post!!!
I never thought of it this way, I guess because my daughter's only 13, but I really do feel connected to my female ancestors and look forward to enjoying my grandchildren one day... Love the pics (and the post) :)
I love all of these photos. Almost like going back in time!
If I had to choose between constant sun or constant rain.. sun will win every time! It is the pitts here right now.
Past, Present and Future. What an incredible post. I love the pictures and the thought behind it.
What a wonderful set of photos and such a reflective post.
Great post! I wish I had pictures from the past, just to see where I came from. But they have all been lost or given to other family members and who knows where they're at. Your daughter and grandaughter are adorable.
Amazing, Karen! I always love your Fx4 postst!
I'm so glad to know there are others out there who cherish old family photos. Our guest bedroom has one wall full of very old photos from both mine and Scott's family...it's our "heritage wall" and we love it. I wouldn't take a bojillion dollars for a single one of my family photos.
OK...I would...if I had anothere copy. Who am I kidding?
Karen, stop by...I've given you an award!
Beautiful photos and tribute to the women in your family. I think your photo as a toddler is adorable. Looks like you were getting ready to jump off of that curb/garden and right into life. Thank you for sharing and for stopping by my blog and commenting.
Those pix are wonderful and a great story to boot!
Thanks for stopping by my "place" earlier!
what nice pictures. Look forward to reading you posts about your mother.
#1
I love old photographs, they are the best. I have a really nice one of my great grandmother and it just makes me smile to look at it.
Great great post! And thanks for visiting my blog.
Great photos!
I LOVE looking at generations of women and hearing how they're interwoven. It's a beautiful thing.
that's a nice post! it reminds me of my paternal grandmother who was also a great influence in my life.I have just started my own family at 37 and have a baby girl. It's exciting to see her progress.
amazing pictures! simply amazing! thanks as always for stopping by my blog. i'm in a bit of a rut right now with posting... i'll be back on the horse soon though!
Happy SITS day! That is an AWESOME tribute to the women in your family!
Ohhh. Lovely tribute and wonderful pictures. You'll pass on all the good stuff I'm sure.
I have a photo of 4 generations together taken just before my Grandma passed away. It is very special, but it's kind of sad to think that our family will have to do another 2 generations before it can happen again. And we're getting older and older before procreating...
I love these, it is amazing to see the past and future of a family! The most we had in one room was 4 generations of women, unfortunately my great-grandmother died before my daughter was born.
Found your blog from SITS. These photos are fantastic and I love your baby picture too! Congrats on your feature day!
Hey Sitstah! I love the post! It is so beautiful. I love getting pictures of multiple generations. I have a four generation- maybe a five someday!
Beautiful post. My grandmaother (Oma) has finally gotten old, we thought (hoped) it would never happen and was put into a nursing home this year. I visited her last month and didn't recognise her at first, she looked so different and frail. But even now she is still inspiring in her acceptance and good humour in life. She counts every one of her 10 children, 33 grandchildren and who-can-count-them great-grandchildren as close to her heart. I'm so pleased that my two girls have gotten to know her in their life and truly love her too.
Great Post - you have a beautiful family - and a wonderful story. Makes me think about my own kids and the children they will have one day. Well done!
Your photos were really touching! It gave me a lot to think about--I'm definitely calling my mom and grandma today.
I loved this post! I have 5 generations alive in my family right now. My great grandmother is 85 and my sister has a daughter who is 3. It is so wonderful to have so many women in our family. Just dont try to come in one of our kitchens during family events! hehe! You may just get ran over! I love the photo of you when you were small. and i understand how precious your grandmom must be to you. Mine raised me as well. I didnt have a half way relationship with my mother until recently.
Thanks for sharing such precious photos! Beautiful women.
Love your pics. Happy SITS day. Enjoy it, sounds like you deserve it.
What a great post! I love history and seeing who is in the past and who is coming up for the future. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful pictures.
Sonya
What a beautiful and heartwarming post! Sounds like you have your grandmother's strength and kindness! Have a wonderful day. :)
Congrats on being the featured SITS blogger. What a great post on the women in your family.
Happy SITS day! This is a wonderful post. I love reading about people's family history.
Awesome indeed.
Thank you for sharing this...it was beautiful.
how beautiful...
What a great post, and how lucky that you have that picture of Grandma and Mom!
Happy SITS Day!
Great post--beautiful photos!
Visiting from SITS and I have to tell you how touching your post is. I can't wait to someday have a daughter and see the same things through my family!
what a wonderful post for my first visit to your blog!
I have two daughters and I often wonder, if they have daughters themselves, how different all of our generations will be.
This was an extremely moving post. I have wonderful woman behind me, and I pray one day to contiue the line.
*happy SITS day!
What a wonderful post and beautiful pictures.
All the woman in your family have such a special bond.
This is such a great post...you've inspired me to go write a few posts about my history as well...
Happy SITS day!
Great post and pics!
XOXO
Great way to follow through the years! Great post. I"m not there yet, my daughter is just now 2, but I can't wait to see the line carried on.... years down the road! I love the photos you have!
This is a fun AND inspiring post . . .over from SITS - happy feature day!
Oh, I Love this post!
Those photos are fantastic and, yes, it does give me chills to think about that amazing, unbroken thread of women.
Lovely!
Happy SITS day!
:^) Anna
What an amazing tribute to the women in your family. The pictures are beautiful. Your daughter does look a lot like you!
What great photos and story! I've always loved looking at old photos of the people in my family to get a sense of where I've come from.
Great photo's! I love the message of strong woman.
What great photos. I love them. A wonderful tribute to the women in your family.
Beautiful tribute!
I love this post! I have a picture of my Grandmother, mother, myself, and my daughter..it is one of my most favorite things. What a lovely tribute to the ladies in your life!
Lovely photos. I wish I could look at the women in my past the way that you can yours, but I come from selfish, feeble-minded women. I have done my best to break that pattern and learn from their mistakes, and I am now raising three beautiful, intelligent, confident, and generous girls. I'm looking forward to watching them raise their own children one day, too.
A precious privelege indeed! And what a lovely family you have!
I'm just getting to where I love to trace the history of the women in my family. I'm currently in the process of working on a "family book" for our children so they will know where they came from. Your photos are beautiful!
I just love to look at old photos!
Great post. The photos are incredible! I knew one of my grandmothers, and I am so pleased that my daughter has, not just one, but 3 great grandmothers! It is amazing to see your roots and the growth from them!
I remember this post! It's wonderful. I love the generations and you are all so beautiful. Great post!
Congrats on being the featured blog at Sits!
Love this post! It's wonderful to see the generations in your family and to learn more about you.
I have to agree with all those before me, even if it means I sound repetitive- the photos are amazing! What a great post idea, too! I hope you don't mind if I do something similar at some point...
Have a great day!
Beautiful Post, Beautiful Women!!
I have a 4 generation picture and cherish it deeply, especially since my grandmother is no longer with us.
~Tidymom
Great Post!
Yes I do get the warm fuzzies when I look back and look forward to the future!
Happy SITS day!
You are a lucky person to have had a strong loving woman in your life...and for raising one, who raises more...Bravo to you for continueing to blaze the trail...
The enormity of continuity is amazing. Thank you for sharing the pictures and your story. I'm blessed to have my mother and my 2 year old daughter often in the same house. We laugh, learn and take joy in each other. What a blessing.
Past, Present, and Future. Those are great photos. This is a beautiful post.
Gorgeous photos...thank you for sharing!
Love it. I have thought of this, too. I re-created an old photo of my mother appyling lipstick while primping for her wedding on my wedding day. I put the 2 photos in a side by side frame and gave it to her on Mother's Day. I hope my daughters will continue the tradition. ( many, many years from now.)
Those are such beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing a piece of your family with us!
I absolutely loved taking our first 5 generation picture with my great-grandma, my grandma, my dad, myself, and my son. Very special to have my great-grandma still alive when on my mom's side it's just her, me, and my son for generations.
Happy SITS day . Like the photos, very cute :D
Great post! It's interesting to look at the faces and see some of the same characteristics.
Great pics!!
these are great. I just love the one of you at 17 months.
That is amazing. I wish my family had some photos that could be passed down...my sister-in-law has a photo at her wedding with herself, her mother, her grandmother and her great-grandmother. It's four generations in one picture, and it's very touching.
Happy SITS day!
Such beautiful women! You're lucky to have those women in your life.
i think a lot about this very topic; about how my great grandmother treated her children, how my grandmother treated her children, and how my mother was able to break that cycle, and in turn how wonderfully she treated me, and now my children. i will say that even though the earlier generations weren't perfect, we have a long lineage of "strong women". byw, great photos...and i can't believe you thought your mom was your aunt. wild!
Oh wow! that's just fabulous!
This post.is.awesome. Wow. I love it.
So amazingly cool...makes me wanna dig through a box/hard drive of old photos!
I love the progression you depict. Feeling connected to something and responsible for so much is comforting and scary. But family is great.
What a great post! I love looking back through family history.
It definitely is amazing how we are "made" from our ancestors. I think family history is a great thing.
Nice walk down memory lane. I remember taking a picture when I was really little with my mom, grandma, and great grandma. My brother has the same with him, our dad, our grandfather, and our great grandfather. It's neat to have a legacy!
Lovely post!
what great history!! You were a doll.
Wonderful post, great genes in your family.
Gotta love that mischievous sparkle. :)
This is a great photo parade!
What a wonderful post. Yes, it does amaze me to look back on the women in my family who have made the person I am today.
Amazing post :)
That is a great post! I look forward to reading more of your stories.
you were an adorable lil girl! I love your chubby legs!!!
What an amazing post. Thanks for sharing. It reminds me of my own mother's start at life. She has dear grandparents whom she loves so much...she instantly became the baby of 15 when she joined their family!
Happy SITS Day! Love this post, and how it speaks to both your history and your future. So important to think of both!
I'm envious. I have no real connection to my family that came before me and very little with the family I have now. Probably my own fault and I won't change but sometimes I think it might be nice...
What beautiful pictures and a great story of the women in your life.
Look at all your comment love! I remember when you first published this. And the women that stand behind us are so amazing. All that nature nurture stuff really comes through :-)
I love geanology and the power and bonds that develop though it. If you just looked at these photos, you would think nothing more than cool, old photos of people no one knows thrown in a shoebox. Reading these stories make the photos and the people come alive and right out of the pictures. It gives you respect, admiration, and a connection to those people that would have otherwise become forgotten.
Happy SITS day! What a wonderful tribute to your past and future. I long for family photos - I guess I'll finally get some after my mom dies!
Came over from SITS!I love hearing people's family history! I am so fortunate to still have my grandparents living and I have the most precious photo of us 4 generations of girls when my daughter was christened. Thanks for sharing!
I love seeing photos from different generations. Isn't it great to see some of the same traits in relatives generations before you? Very cool.
So true!! What a great post. Gives me an idea....Thanks!
great post! I am hoping to get a photo of my grandmother, mother, self & baby daughter together at Christmas. off to read your other 2
Wow, what a touching post......It gave me the chills, because I do feel the same.
Yes, there is a wonderful sense of being when you look at the past and then at the future. So far I'm only a mother, and not a grandmother, but I see a world of possibility in her.
What a treasure that is & a legacy worthy of remembering.
Those are beautiful photos and such an interesting history. It really is neat to step back and look at the generations that you are a part of and that shape you.
Great photos and such a cool picture of your Grandmother. I just love that hat!
Beautiful pictures! :)
We were able to celebrate five generations this past Mother's Day. It is the neatest thing to know your great-grandmother and to know that might she met her great-great granddaughter before she passed. Nothing is more special than the family bond among mothers and daughters!
beautiful photos! :)
What a beautiful post! My mom and I started a mini scrapbook for my daughter and her daughters (hopefully she'll have some in 20 years...she's not yet 10!) It's wonderful to have those photos and women in our lives.
Happy SITS day!
Awesome is exactly the word for it. I love those photos... and now I'm intrigued. Congrats on your feature!
I love family photos. It was fun to see yours. I really like how your honored the women in your family. There is power in seeing all of the generation together and seeing their likenesses and strengths. So glad I got to stop by - Happy SITS Day!
LOVE those pictures! What fun memories!
WOW. Amazing post. I am loving the pictures.
I'm very touched by this post! I've been lucky enough to spend much time with my son, my mom, my aunt, and my grandmother all at once. Having four generations together under one roof (even if there's a Y chromosome in the mix) is phenomenal, and yes, shivery.
Beautiful!!! I loved that post!!!!
Great post. I wish my grandmother was still alive to see my girls.
I'm a little late visiting. Congrats on the SITS feature. This was a lovely post to share with us. I love the photos and the message, it is incredibly awe inspiring to see how life stretches out past us as well as behind us. You have a lovely family.
What a lovely post! I love the idea of it!
I found you from SITS...a day late :) It spreads out the comment-love, right??
I love the photos. It's true that "a picture is worth a thousand words".
Leslie, aka Menu Maker Mom
http://menumakermom.blogspot.com
Sounds like you could write a book about your life. The pictures are beautiful and I could spend a long time looking at them and wondering...
This post was wonderful because it really touches a chord with us all, as women. I'm saddened by it in some ways, however. I will don't have any children, so I will never know what it feels like to pass on those traits to another generation, and I am in a difficult situation at the moment with my mother because my dad is ill with Parkinson's and dementia and is lying in a hospital bed waiting for long-term care. My mother is a strong, feisty woman and she and I butt heads quite frequently, but I do love her very much and I think she knows that.
Your post has also made me think of my grandmother who died at the age of 94, back in 1992. She was a strong woman as well and had no regrets in life but for the fact that she never learned to drive or type.
Thanks for sharing your pictures and memories.
Kat
Wow, I wish I had pictures this old to bring me back to a lifetime ago. They're beautiful!!! Congrats on being featured.
wow! 5 generations worth of pictures is a priceless gift. I recently just took a 4 generation picture. It was my grandma,my mom, me and my daughter. What a powerful picture.
Sorry you had such a difficult time growing up. I cannot imagine finding out at 7 that my aunt was really my mother. I'm glad you had a good grandmother to raise you.
There is something about stories and pictures of family women that I am drawn to. The dynamics are always so involved and messy, yet they are the relationships that build us into the dynamic creatures we are. Family men have their relationship quirks too, but it is just not the same. Thank you for sharing the wonderful pictures.
......just love old photos like that - they and our ancestors or relatives in them truly add to the tapestry of our lives.
Beautiful post and I loved your one about a Mortifying Moment.......could just picture those mortified young Mormons !
Bre
http://chantillygrace.blogspot.com/
Great pics! And great post!
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