They say that a picture paints a thousand words. Yes indeed it does, and it also creates a thousand memories. I read an article by a clinical psychologist who said that the “body language” in old photos could tell a lot about your family. According to the learned doctor, there are a lot of hidden messages in those old faded faces. You’re supposed to look and see who’s standing next to whom, who’s smiling at whom, who looks mad, who looks left out and who’s hiding behind a bush.
The psychologist thinks if you never see a husband and wife pictured together maybe that’s because they’re trying to pretend they don’t know each other. Personally, I think it’s just because somebody has to take the picture and they don’t want to trust the expensive camera to one of those kids. But maybe that’s why he’s a famous psychologist and I’m hiding behind a bush.
Whatever those old photos say to you, looking at them is sure a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. Imagine seeing a photograph of your grandfather grandly dressed up in a three-piece suit (the only time you’ve ever seen him in one) or your young and beautiful mother/grandmother/aunt posing coyly under a Chinese parasol or some young handsome uncle with Elvis-styled hair astride a motorbike.
They say that photographs are one of the first things that people try to save when there’s a fire in the home. And no wonder. They are irreplaceable memories of family history, special ceremonies and the people, places and milestones of life. That’s why looking at them can open a window to yesterday that gives us glimpses of values and hopes and dreams – a solid foundation on which to build a future.
The psychologist thinks if you never see a husband and wife pictured together maybe that’s because they’re trying to pretend they don’t know each other. Personally, I think it’s just because somebody has to take the picture and they don’t want to trust the expensive camera to one of those kids. But maybe that’s why he’s a famous psychologist and I’m hiding behind a bush.
Whatever those old photos say to you, looking at them is sure a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. Imagine seeing a photograph of your grandfather grandly dressed up in a three-piece suit (the only time you’ve ever seen him in one) or your young and beautiful mother/grandmother/aunt posing coyly under a Chinese parasol or some young handsome uncle with Elvis-styled hair astride a motorbike.
They say that photographs are one of the first things that people try to save when there’s a fire in the home. And no wonder. They are irreplaceable memories of family history, special ceremonies and the people, places and milestones of life. That’s why looking at them can open a window to yesterday that gives us glimpses of values and hopes and dreams – a solid foundation on which to build a future.
1 comment:
When I was walking down memory lane with some old photos of mum's recently, it gave me a feeling that respect was deeply-rooted. There was a lot of respect for everything around them. From elders to teachers to places of worship. Take a similar picture today. I dare say we are on the way to losing that value. We have not completely forgotten it but we will inevitably lose the value of respect being so caught up in this hurried world.
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