Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Archival Anecdotes: Family Values

Celebratory family photos are something we have all been a part of. Whether the family gets together for Thanksgiving, Easter or a funeral­­, it's often likely that someone will herd all the bodies together for yet another family photo.

Such happenings might not seem like much at the time, but someday they might be treasured deeply.

I have been in the process of archiving my own family's photos, and as I do so, I can't help but notice patterns. I see similarities in stances and smiles and can easily place the photo in my memory based on attire and clues in the setting. As the oldest of my siblings, (and one of the oldest cousins), retaining and sharing these memories with my younger counterparts is part of my role.

When it comes to family units, each one carries it's own peculiarities. Yet one thing remains the same- family is part of our origin. It tells about where we came from and how we came to be. Throughout our lives family can remain familiar. These are the people who watched us learn to walk, watched us grow, and prayed for us at night. When we open our heart to these familiar pieces of the past, we open ourselves to connections that can last longer than a lifetime.

New Rockford poet Mary Hass captured the importance of family in her poem "Treasures," below.

Treasures

by Mary Hass

written in 1941

Let us treasure together while we can

Soft moonlight nights, trees and showers

The tomorrow may find us far apart-

Today at least will be ours.

 
 
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