#JusJoJan for January 5 is “Memories” suggested by Cage Dunn.
This is an easy prompt for me. Memories are so important. My mom is 94 and the last of the living relatives in her generation. All of my aunts and uncles have passed away and I only knew one of my grandparents, my grandmother on my mother’s side. I am really sorry I did not ask her more questions about how her life was growing up and the early years with my grandfather.
I have a few pictures and I know that my grandmother spoke German and my grandfather spoke Italian. My mom was one of twin girls and she had two brothers and another sister.
Here are my grandparents with the first set of grandchildren.
I know even less about my dad’s side of the family and have only one picture of the whole Stagnaro family together:
My dad is the handsome boy on the right standing next to his mother. I knew my aunts and uncles on my dad’s side but never met his parents. My aunt (all in white) was the Queen of the day or something, I’m not even sure what.
I know I need to sit down with some of these pictures and have my mom explain them to me and get the particulars so that I can put them in scrapbooks for my children. It makes me sad to think about all the people who have lost their pictures in the recent fires we’ve had in California, not to mention all the hurricanes and floods. Without these for reference, the memories will be lost as each generation passes.
Write things down! Tell the stories. Don’t let the memories fade.
Thanks again to Linda G. Hill and the rest of the Just Jot January gang.
from Blogger http://asmile4ufromjanet.blogspot.com/2018/01/just-jot-january-2018_5.html
via IFTTT
Janet's Smiles 
Love that you have these photos. I never met my grandparents on either side and only have a few photos. Memories are something to treasure
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve tried to get some of my dad from my cousins but I have a feeling that there weren’t as many pictures taken back in those days.
LikeLike
It’s so great that you have these old photos! Make sure you ask your mother about them all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I know she would love to have me come for an afternoon visit to talk about them. Going to have to plan that date!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I try to do that with things my parents have and show me, in the hope I’ll remember, so I can pass it down!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So important to pass on the stories. We are all made of up the past. It’s rather lovely when you think about it.
The photos are great, I love whatever your grandmother is wearing. Maybe someone knowledgeable will come along and educate us about it. I’m really fond of your family in front of the tree. Iconic. A real blast from the past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joey. I am going to bring the pictures to my mom’s house one day and sit down with her and write down all the info. She will love telling the stories!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet she will 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that some of these are already scrapped! Have you also digitized? What great memories – and a super legacy for your children!
LikeLike
Hi Karen. I have not digitized yet. I am making a plan to set aside some time each week/month to work on different albums – you know how that goes…so many to do!
LikeLike
This is a powerful post, Janet. “Write things down! Tell the stories. Don’t let the memories fade.” This struck a chord with me as my mother slips away from her battle with dementia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Jill. As I was writing this I was saying a prayer of thanks that my mom still has her faculties (for the most part) and she will remember – or at least close enough. I was going to say that in the post but then I thought it might make someone who’s parents can’t remember anymore sad. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that you have these older pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! Wish I had more.
LikeLiked by 1 person