Can it be?

Oh my.

What you find when you go through old family papers.

These are from a stack of letters I wrote my parents while I was

1000 miles away at the State University of Iowa.

I loved it there.

But I missed my family terribly. We were very close.

If these had been emails, I wouldn't be photographing them today.

Nor would I have the chance to revisit evidence of how close we were

and how happy I was.

I think it is a very sad state of affairs.

Family

My sister and my cousins at my 16th birthday party!

Such a long time ago and yet so sweet to see all of us in party clothes honoring the natal day of one of us. We did this for each one, but of course this is the one my Dad recorded and therefore I have the photo.

I'm feeling the presence of the older generation around me these days as I have delved into

many files of letters and photos.

We just held a small get together of some of us.

It was so precious.

Nothing else can substitute for family.

I would wish that everyone had the amazing one I grew up in.

Great Foundations!

My Mother and Father!

Full of mischief and good humor!

Lucky me and lucky sister!

It is a joy to me to see their smiling faces and how much this reminds me of the

best childhood ever.

I'm doing all I can to carry on what they did for me and how huge a difference it makes in

this world to see the fun in things and the pleasure of living.

My Aunt Milly

Yesterday morning, my dearest Aunt passed on to her next adventure.

I cannot begin to say how much I will miss her because of her great good sense of humor and fun that was, for me, what gives Life to Life!

I was looking through some family letters this morning and found this poem.

It was in a very faded letter that my wonderful Mother, at the tender age of 28, had sent to her new mother-in-law.

It could not be a better description of my Aunt if it had been written expressly for her.

Build for yourself a strong box.

Fashion each part with care.

When it's stong as your hand can make it

Put all your troubles there.

Hide there all thoughts of your failures

And each bitter cup that you quaff,

Lock all your heartaches within it,

Then sit on the lid and laugh.

Here's to you my darling Milly.

Thank you for every laugh you gave and for every one we shared.

And for every time you said to me 'How're you doing, Lynnesey Baby?'

I will see you down the line.

But til then, I seek to follow your example

Inspired by this photograph of you and Dad.

Love always and forever,

Lynne