Sewing up a few family photos to hang on the walls. Simple. Vintage wallpaper on the back and a stray ribbon to loop through the top for easy hanging.
You can't really tell, from the photo but there is a fabulous faux bois tree trunk tombstone my great grandmother, Maria Isabel Guerra is leaning against in this photo. She and my great grandfather, Jacobo Concepcion Guerra, travelled to the grave of their oldest son, Jacobo Santos Guerra who died on September 15, 1919. They are visiting his grave on the first anniversary of his death in Montemorelos, Mexico, on September 15, 1920. This fact is made all the more poignant by the next wall hanging photo below which is of their same son's wedding 10 years earlier.
That's Mama Ita (Maria Isabel) sitting there on the left in the forefront next to her husband Jacobo. Across the wedding table sits the younger Jacobo on the occasion of his marriage to Flossie Herrera on September 1, 1909. I imagine him sitting there relaxed holding the bottle of wine, his little sister's hand (my grandmother) resting on his shoulder, looking across the table at his mother, who is looking at the camera. Safe under the wedding tent, a warm breeze ruffling the crepe paper decorations and flag. I like to imagine they are looking at me looking back at them.
Let's move in for a closer look shall we? Next to Flossie in the dark glasses sits Jacobo's other sister, Maria Cristina, who was blinded in one eye by a tree branch, as she rode in her carriage some years earlier.
I think they meant to invite me to the wedding. I want to hear the conversations, feel the warm air, look up into the sky later when it is growing dark and see the stars opening, follow my great grandparents into the house when the party is over and listen as Crisanta Florentina (my grandmother) is tucked into bed.
I asked my sister Dottie about the feasibility of building a time machine and going back to the Rio Grande Texas of 99 years ago, to that September day. She suggested I get my 2nd graders to help me. Brilliant idea! Why didn't I think of it?
I mean let's get serious. Who better to hire for the job than this bunch?
Your family photos and stories touched me. How intensely sorrowful the woman at the grave is…so tired of the grief she has to lean on it.
On another note, I SO want those colorful pink and yellow shoes with the green laces! Yawza!
You get your wonderful kids to build the time machine, and I’ll come along behind to do the interior design and throw cushions.
what a GREAT idea! I brought home BUNDLES of great old photos that came from my grandmothers house….hmmmmm, ideas abound…
x…x
steph
What a beautiful way to display such special photographs. You are such a clever girl.
And to have all of those wonderful helpers, that I’m certain, because you are their teacher, will one day actually invent a time machine!!
Headed to Italy tomorrow. Have my little journal and bag of little supplies already packed. woo hoo
You are so lucky to have those great photos! Reminds me of the movie Like water for chocolate…Love that movie! karen…
Looks like any one of them could have been a soldaderas. Check my post~
http://rosa-josies.blogspot.com/2008/06/newest-mexican-calendar.html#links
*wink* =)
First I thought that I really loved your story of the family better than anything, but then the joy of those children and the thoughts of all the memories they will be making, well that really is better than anything. You must be a wonderful teacher to create joy like that.
yes – I am with Judy – what with the chills and goosies running up and down my arms and legs – especially looking at those colorful shoes – oh time machine take me too – to my temple dancing days – spinning – yes Mary Ann – try spinning – DO try spinning – and ask those colorfully shod magis to guide you…
xox – eb.
It must not be a new bunch of kids. I see The Postman or his clone. Tell him one of your fans really really LOVES his shoes. They are so big now. That end of school year phase where they don’t look like second graders anymore but junior thirds.
Very inspiring idea – I think I’ll dig out photos. Where are you hanging these?
I have many similar photos and often stare longingly into them, hoping for a wink, a flicker of recognition, a Harry Potter talking photo moment. I share your longing to return to the generations past and share the festivities with them. Love them!
Oh, MA, I do love your stories! And how beautifully they are illustrated. Thanks for sharing. I think that sister is right, I think that I tried that one time.
Recipe for Time Machine:
Ingredients
1. old wood
2. rusty nails
3. steering wheel from abandoned tractor
4. holy water from angie moss
5. co-pilot, age 8-9, must have vivid imagination and working knowledge of quantum mechanics
6. helmets and goggles
Instructions:
Use 1,2,& 3 to assemble a reasonable facimile of boxcar derby with wings.
Sprinkle liberally with #4.
Buy life insurance for self and co-pilot.
Don #6 and scream loudly during take-off.
P.S. I have tried this – it WORKS.
I love the old photos and how you’ve displayed them. It’s great that you know so much of the history of them. And hey you never know, those 2nd graders just might know about those time machines, they have very vivid imaginations and still believe…..
What treasured heirlooms! And to not only have the photographs but also some of the backstory–all part of your familia’s history. Thanks for sharing these mementos!
My imagination is running riot while looking at these beautiful photos. Look at the clothes; they are gorgeous and the wedding photos so posh. I love it all – it’s like a scene out of Marquez.