I didn't see it at first...

My grandparents, Edwin and Lela, with my uncles, Les and Ted,
and my mother and sister.  WWII.

12 March 2015

     I'm slowly scanning old photos in and doing what I can via Photoshop Elements to clean them up. The above photo was part of a four tiny (about 1"x1.5") photos all in one little strip.  Scanned, cropped, repaired.

     I didn't see it until I was working to get rid of the spots, stains and scratches.  My two uncles were home on furlough and I'm assuming they were on their way back out.  This was at the height of WWII. The love and concern among them is palpable. 

     And there it is. My grandfather, Pop, is holding my uncle's hand.  I wept.  

     My uncles, Les in the middle of the shot and Ted on the right, were both in the Army Air Corps during WWII.  They both saw "lots of action." Ted was a pilot.  I have a great picture of him in his leather jacket and pilot's helmet.  Les was a corporal and trained as a ball turret gunner on a B24 heavy bombardment crew.  Both of these good men were forever changed by the experiences they endured.  Neither of them ever spoke of their experiences and it was only after Les passed away that his only child, a daughter, was told of his mind-bending experiences.

     I love this picture. My brave, wonderful family.  We cannot conceive the sacrifice and courage of our families during this time.  Years apart. Rationing. Little or no communication. My family was so very blessed as we didn't lose any of our men to war at that time.  All "came marching home" to start and rebuild lives, raise families, and live long lives further leaving their legacy of honor, courage and strength.

     I'm so grateful to know that we will be reunited.  That I will be with these people, whom I love so much, again.  I'm so grateful for their example, their grace, their courage.  I'm so grateful that someone captured this moment in time where the deep love of family is so evident.

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER