Through the Years...
Last night I started going through old photos. Since childhood, my father has had a camera in our faces, snapping shots at the most unexpected times, and sometimes in the most unflattering of angles. I found it annoying in youth, but today appreciate the boxes of images which always carry me down memory lane. Each time I look at them, I grow sentimental and nostalgic. In general, I've been blessed with a beautiful life, encountering few obstacles or traumas. A huge, supportive family carrying me through the ups and downs.
I don't think I've changed much over the years, looks or personality wise. The only thing that fluctuates in the images is my weight. This is a constant battle! Even as a youngster, I was curious. Talking and quizzing people to learn more about them and their lives. Do you have such old photos? What has changed most about your personality or looks over the years?
1. In the beginning...
2. My parents still have this blue, ruffly dress. My dad purchased it for me as a surprise gift.
3. My sister, me and our closest cousins - Tim and Jennifer. We were all around the same age and grew up together. Here we're playing a popular card game called "UNO" during a family celebration. Do you know it?
4. Yes, I've always been stylish! Rockin the reindeer sweater. :) This photo impacted me most. Yesterday was my aunt Guyetta's birthday. She's pictured there in the chair. The first of my mom's siblings to pass away a few years ago. She operated a hair salon, right inside her house for over forty years. If you look at the image above, we're sitting in the salon. Notice the sit-in hairdryer above my head? Remarkable woman, greatly missed.
5. My dad, grandfather and me on the family boat. Dad probably fixing something, as usual. My curls were out of control, even at an early age.
6. Me and cousin Tim in my parent's yard. Same house they live in now.
7. High school, senior year.
8. Prom! The guy in the front was one of my best friends. He later revealed to us that he's gay. He hid it growing up because we all went to a strict, conservative religious school. Looking back, his sexual orientation was always obvious to me. Not sure why he hid it, especially from people like me who would be accepting.
9. My roommate during university.
10. Studying for exams. Everyone always teased me about my curly, wild hair.
11. Hiking in the woods with my sister and our black lab - Ralph. He disappeared one day, never to be found. This was right before I started working with United Airlines - my first job after university.
12. Fattest days...
13. Me now. :) Gray hair starting to creep in, all in a centralized location on the top of my head. Horror! What to do?
14. Sexpot look!
15. And the people who brought me into this world. High school sweethearts, still happily married.
Sometimes it's nice to walk down memory lane...