Treasures

I ran across this picture the other day. I believe it was taken with Betty’s camera and Jeremy must have been the photographer (how fortuitous, eh?) Dated June of 1997, I remember it being taken, although it seems like a century ago.

We had barbecued in our backyard and eaten outside on the picnic tables. I believe we might have been celebrating Father's Day, but mostly we were just enjoying having Don's folks visit us after returning from their winter in Arizona. As usual during family gatherings, we took turns taking the photos, making sure everyone’s camera had its turn immortalizing the moment. Many times Dad and I have wished we owned Kodak stock because of our tendancy to memorialize everything!

Although we all automatically assembled and posed until the last click, we often would have loved to forego the inevitable ritual. Now, however, I am really thankful to have these frozen memories to stumble upon.

My first, knee-jerk reaction is usually to think of how things have changed since the picture was taken. Kids have grown and moved out into lives of their own, Don’s folks have both died, and our hair is a little bit whiter. This time, however, I can’t take my eyes off of Betty. I don’t remember why she was laughing while the rest of us seem to be patiently waiting for her to get back into the shot, but look at how she is leaning back, fully enjoying her mirth. So different from the way I last saw her after Alzheimers had stolen her joy.

This is the Betty I want to remember. The real Betty, my friend. If we hadn’t taken those few precious seconds to pull out our cameras, I might have forgotten this ordinary moment that is such a treasure to me now.