I love looking at old family photos.
The photo above is my mother, grandmother, and uncle.
Pictures speak a lot about people and the times.
It’s fun to study the fashions and the hair do’s of the past.
Have you noticed how styles seem to come back over and over again, with just a little twist to make them current and fresh?
Notice the leggings on the little girl (my mother)?
All our grand kids love their knit hats. Uncle Dean’s cap (the little boy) is right in style today.
I remember having ribbons around my neck, not too many years ago, just like my grandmother’s.
Grandma’s hair is similar to the waves seen on the ladies of Downton Abbey, since this picture was probably taken in the same time period, the 1920’s.
Finding common facial features with relatives is always fun, too.
We can learn a lot from the past.
I’ve been thinking about some of the life styles and characteristics from the past that I hope we don’t forget either.
Here’s my list:
1. Hard work
Just surviving often meant hard labor and long hours. If you wanted something, you put in the time to earn it.
2. Thriftiness, making do, and appreciation for what we have
Are we becoming an entitled society? We seem to want it all and we want it right now.
3. Resourcefulness
I love hearing those stories where people who didn’t have what they needed improvised and created substitute items. Flour sacks became dish towels or children’s clothing. Old shoes were lined with linoleum to give them a longer life.
((I’m not saying I want to live that frugally, but that I hope I would be able to create or make the things I needed if I couldn’t just buy them.)
4. Respect
I hate to see disrespect towards anyone, especially our elders.
Seeing a veteran showing respect for the flag or our country is an emotional thing for me.
5. Socialization and personal interaction
We don’t have tea parties and socials like they did long ago, but it is still important to stay connected (and not just through social media). We learn from each other. We give support and strength to each other. I think it is important to spend time with family and friends. It is also good to meet new people.
6. Having simple fun
Don’t you love seeing the carnivals and fairs (the movie Pollyanna comes to my mind) that were held for the whole community?
Cake walks, home-made ice cream, taffy pulls, hay rides, three-legged races, long walks, picnics, and so on are all great activities that will leave fond memories.
This picture is my aunt Mardene and my dad working hard in the hot sun. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to keep up with them!
I don’t know why I climbed on
a soap box today, but perhaps it is because I hate to see these things become lost to us.
(It could be that I am now one of those seniors who prefers the past to the present!)
Seriously, I think we are pretty lucky to live in this modern, technological world.
I just want to keep some of the past, too!
JoAnn
P.S. Anyone want to watch old movies with me?
4 comments:
Oh yes, I'll make the popcorn!
Those good qualities of life a generation or two ago are so important to remember. We have certainly become a soft and entitled society. It does my heart good to see my children work hard for what they need and want, but in my work I meet so many who wait for a quick way to get their needs met.
I liked looking at your old photos - your mother looks like a little doll!
You know, I feel like we are doing a pretty good job at trying to keep those values alive but I do realize we are no where near as "frugal" as we could be... I don't think I would ever consider putting linoleum in my kids shoes to make them last longer. But I also think it is probably cheaper these days just to buy new ones. But as far as respect goes, I hope more than anything to instill the importance of being respectful in my children.
And by we I don't mean the world as a whole, but rather I like to think you have taught me well and that I am doing my best to pass that onto my children... If that makes sense.
I loved this photo of your grandmother, mother and uncle, JoAnn. Your grandmother was a beautiful woman! MY grandmothers had very hard lives. Both were widows with very young children when their husbands died. My husband's parents did not even have running water or electricity in their home in Italy before they emigrated to the USA in the 50's! It is hard to imagine such a life these days. We feel blessed to live in a country that affords everyone with opportunities!
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