Memories held in hands

Great-Grandma Annie Praul Shive Johnson
A creased and tattered photo--
Held, shown, and stored in a shoe box for decades.
Hard evidence of a life lived
and remembered

Around in a circle on Christmas morning at Grandma's house, that is snapshot where I still see my family, frozen in time.  Photos have a way of capturing the smiles and memories that cannot be stored on a chip, flash drive, disc, cell phone...

A photo brings back sounds of laughter, of dishware placed onto the stretched out table.  Then it would have said the table was a mile long and the browned turkey as big as the sun. Lots of children noises filled the room, children laughter and some tears.  Just a quickly as they started, they stopped when grace was said and dishes filled.

A photo inhales wafting mashed potatoes with gravy cascading down the mountain and onto stuffing.  Creamed, buttered, fragrant, never-ending--amazing food, enough to feed entire towns. 

Then pies.  Queens of homemade pies, that's what Grandma and Mom were. Name any filling and these queens could whirl to place perfect pies, steaming hot, crust golden brown on the table.
  

 Front row: Robert, Bill, and me (with my new doll)
Don, Mary, Dad and Mom Christmas 1959

A photo can be held, placed lovingly an album, where smiles and bright eyes will look at it, talk about that day.  Remember...Mom nearly spilled the gravy...apple pie was...

A photo is taken of people of people frozen in time. "Hold still. Bill, stop it..." Click and wind. Click and wind. Then the roll of film would be put in an envelope, sent off, and returned. Open the envelope. And Christmas is re-lived over and over.

Food and family without end

A photo will travel across decades to find its way into hands of one who calls back that day with all its senses.  One who will caress faces of those long gone, saying, "I know when this happened."

Grandma and Grandpa Cardiff at home

A photo kept safe for decades in a box emerges into my hands. I can still smell the pies and feel the love all around us.

Can one do this with a digital? Can one hold the photo and feel all that?

To Honor and Remember

To protect and serve
Arizona fire in 2013.  19 firemen died, one survived.

Wildfires in California cannot be described in enough words. Only one actually nails it: deadly.

These fires have burned and are still burning throughout the state. On a NASA map from space fires are seen down the state from Santa Barbara to San Diego.  Some fires have devasted famous wine countries throughout many areas. Hundreds of homes went up in flames.

Taken four hours ago, 12/19

What are sad statistics?

As of October, forty three had died.  Now, here in December, the numbers are still being confirmed. And the acreage burned can be found at this site: information gathered summer through winter .

Firefighters. Medical personnel. Police and state support.  All are a family, united by their dedication and self-less service. When one dies, all grieve.

Recently, in the Thomas wildfire, one fireman died. Cory Iverson was a veteran firefighter and his death was felt by all those who knew and respected him.  In that loss and tragedy, his family of friends and co-workers honored him in this way.

Cory Iverson

Heart-felt

Across overpasses from Ventura to San Diego were as outstanding and impressive as these are.  Not enough space can be alloted for such dedication.

Rejoice in Christmas!  Rejoice for love of family!  Rejoice for those who honor and remember!

Below is a clear demonstration of family.

P.S. The movie, "Only the Brave", also honors the memories of a "Hot Shot" team of firefighters who perished in the Yarnell fire on Granite Mountain located near Prescott, AZ in 2013.

Worth while movie