Family Memories

When I was much younger, and the kids were young (the 1990s), we were always planning getaways, day trips, camping trips, travel trips ... you name it, we were trying it!

We created so many wonderful memories!

Here's Brian, eating cotton candy along the waterfront in Seattle.  We visited the Space Needle and the Aquarium. 

I've been working on scrap books and photo albums, and posting everything I find on Brian on his forevermissed.com page as a tribute to every memory I have of him.  I'd forgotten about this photo.  But looking at old photos and old memories is a mixed blessing.  I love the memories, but it's just so unbelievable that he's not here any more.  And that hurts like nothing else ever.  I'm thankful that I have a place where I can write down the memories I have, add some detail whenever I can remember it, and ponder the ups and downs of raising this special little boy.  His quick wit and comebacks are missed a lot.

"Family history is a perishable commodity.

It disappears with time, as memories fade, and as loved ones pass on.

I wish I had known that the most important aspect of family history 

is preserving a record of the present for the future."  -Guy Black

This quote has been a huge part of my fascination and drive to locate family history.  So much of it is lost.  I've located facts and corrected names and dates because someone got them wrong at some point.  And frankly, I've had two sets of grandparents who were of the mindset to "let bygones be bygone", and didn't want to share family stories.  

And so, I share as much as I can, writing notes with photos, adding more than just a name and date.  I have an old family photo of the entire family at a lake.  All it says is July 1927.  Why was everyone at the lake?   All these questions that could be answered if only someone had taken the time.  It's my goal to take that time for my children.  Child.  Only my daughter carries on, and she only has one daughter as well.  Maybe someone else will pick up the genealogy bug and pass along our family stories.