My mother had a beautiful, old photo album. On the outside it was quilted and inside were thick green cardboard pages, filled with old photos. Christmas came along and I decided to give my mother a new photo album. I took out all the old photos and pasted them in the album I bought with my pocket money, I think I was 14. I had a lot of work because I also made drawings and wrote captions under the photos. In my view it was splendid, so much nicer then the old one which I
threw into the garbage. Christmas eve arrived, we exchanged presents and I gave my mother my creation. I did not know what came upon me. My mother did not like the new album and wanted me to put all the photos back into her old album. Then I had to confess that I threw it away; oh the rage about my carelessness about old valuable things. . My father felt sorry for me and said:" why don't we all look at this new album and enjoy it, look it is all so nicely done. My mother never acknowledged it and I did not blame her, but it was a big disappointment for me and it did hurt. I guess I also learned a lesson!
This old wooden box contains many old photos;
I have many old and newer photo albums;
I always liked this one. My Uncle Richard, now 90 years old made it.
Nice times and nice holidays.
Holidays with the cousins.
My young children 3 and 4 got hold of this album and tore out many photos.
These pages are part of the album I made for my mother!
One of my favourite photos was always this hand coloured black and white photo. I am the girl with the injured knee. I think it is from 1946.
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Too bad your mother didn't at least acknowledge all your work on the new photo album even though she was upset about the change. I hope, when she calmed down, she might have explained more gently why she was so upset? But you did, indeed, learn a difficult lesson. And then to have it somewhat ruined years later by innocent little fingers getting into mischief. Sadly, it seems like the new photo album was a bit doomed from the start. But it looks like you have a good collection of photos in various albums. The one your Uncle Richard made looks rather nice.
ReplyDeleteGail, you are right that photo album was doomed from its beginnings as a Christmas present. As a child I was hurt, but later I did not care any more and I was rather stupid, I did not think of the consequences. My mother was quite stern and stubborn with us children, but she was a very good mother. When I look back I think I made some mistakes bringing up my girls, but luckily they all turned out very well and are the best daughters any mother could have.
DeleteGail and I are on the same track. I don't know which is worse -- your mother hating her Christmas gift or your kids tearing it up. But wasn't your dad the great diplomat.
ReplyDeleteWendy, yes this photo album was doomed from its start! Yes Dad wanted to save the situation. After all it was Christmas!
DeleteThat is sad that your mum was angry with you after you really tried to please her. She might have kept her disappointment to herself like I'm sure you did when the little ones tore the photos. It is a shame but you do seem to have many others. You shoud show us more and tell the stories.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I do understand her now. The girls were so little they did not know what they were doing, I should have put the albums away! Well, things happen, ML was 2 1/2 when she emptied a bottle of Chanel bois des iles on my bed and it was perfume not eau de toilette.The bottle had a small glass top where one could dab a drop of perfume behind the ears or on your wrists. I still don't know how she could open it, everything smelled very luxurious for a while her included.
DeleteYiou told this story so movingly, I could feel your disappointment and your mother's reaction to discovering you had thrown the old album out - and you had such good intentions. .
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue, I appreciate your comment.
DeleteMy mother planned to put photos in an album, but never got around to it. She didn't seem to be interested in any of her mother's photos either--a few of them ended up across the country when her mother moved away. I wish I had an old family album, but I do have some photos that my father saved in a box.
ReplyDeletePostcardy, it happens, both my sisters are not interested in old photos, they all ended up with me, I think many have also disappeared, somehow. I made an album for my first grandson, it turned out well, with captions and small drawings. I wanted to make one for each grandchild but then digital came along and so the story goes...Glad you have still a box of old photos, it is in a way comforting to see and look for certain similarities.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this whole post fills me with anxiety except for the part about your Dad being nice. The wooden album made by your uncle is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kathy M.
Dear Kathy, don't be anxious, it was a long, long time ago, I was disappointed, as every child wants approval from her parents; I learned my lesson not to touch anything, alter it, if it does not belong to me.
DeleteI'm another with no old family albums and you can see on my post that one of mine has had photos removed. Children do things with good intentions which are often misunderstood. I can understand why your mother was upset. Good to see you still have a wide collections of albums and photos to pass on.
ReplyDeleteBob. thank you for your nice comment.
ReplyDeleteI can see both points of view in this story and I understand that your mother was upset by what you did, but you made a new album with love - something to teasure I think.
ReplyDeleteOh you sure did make up for it. I have a few little secrets of things I wish I had never done as a child, but we soon grow up and learn quickly don't we! I really enjoyed your presentation of the photos too, very interesting post.
ReplyDeleteKaren thank you, that sounds good!
DeleteThe old wooden box looks like it holds a few treasures :)
ReplyDeleteBoobook, thank you, looking for a special photo, I dive into this box.
DeleteWhat a sad story. I don't think I understand why your mother was so upset. But I wonder how upset you got at your children when they ripped the photos from the album.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Ladies of the Grove
Nancy, at the time neither did I understand. I did later. My children were small, I should have put the albums somewhere safe, higher up on the bookshelf or in a cupboard. I was astonished and upset when I saw the damage to many old pictures I could not replace. Mais, c'est la vie!
ReplyDelete