feel like crying: a hard day

[cessna152towser]

even if you Mom would not have approved.

My father said he wanted no absolutely no memorials and that after he was gone there should be just the memories left. Yet I feel I did the right thing - his name and photo are only visible in the display to anyone who really takes a close look, so I see this as preserving a record of how an airman lived during the war rather than as a personal memorial. Same as you, Alan, are preserving these portraits showing how people lived and dressed two hundred years ago.

[JimB]

Alan,
I'm sorry for what you have gone through and the turmoil that this has brought you, but take comfort in the fact that the knowledge of these people will live on...for all to see and know.
It was tough, but you did the right thing. God bless you.

[Panache]

Our society is so focused on what will be that what was is sometimes forgotten.

It's very strange to have known someone in your family only by a single picture. My mother's mother died long before I was born. The only image I have of her is a single black and and white photograph that sat in a gilded frame on my great grandmother's piano. It's a head shot from the very late forties or early fifties and she looks very glamorous in it. My mom always told me that this picture was an exceptional one that made her mother look far more gorgeous than she was in real life. I think it she felt it would have pleased her mom that her grandchildren would see her in this way.

The photo now resides with my parents and someday will be in my keeping.

I'm trying think of packing it up and sending it away, and can in small way, imagine what you must feel.

Your family history is now given to the country they helped build.

I'm sure that all three of subjects of those portraits would be honored with the care you have given their memory and their images.

Cheers friend

[McMurdo]

Alan
I was so sorry to have read this, I saw it earlier today, however I was unsure how to respond, quite frankly I still am.
You have my condolences, my only hope is that someday soon you will come to look at this donation in a different light, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[GMan]

This does hurt, I am sorry to hear about it Alan. I know good things will come of it.

[Frog]

Alan,

For whatever it is worth, I think you did well.

Frog

[Warlock]

The loss of our history is one of the most terrible and devastaing events that can happen. I'll never forget the day My Mothers family Bible, a massive and huge ancient tome, burned in a house fire. Tribal records that went back to the 1700's. Also when my Father died. A WW2 veteran that served under George Patton. Bronze star and Purple heart. He never told anybody what happened in that particular engagement. He was named after Thomas Sims, Aide-de-camp to General George Washington, and later a Pall bearer at his funeral. My Father was a wealth of information on our Family and it's all gone because someone murdered him. Hold on to the good memories and release the sad one. Forgive your Mother and don't let your pain poison your soul. Maybe your Mother allowed her pain to poison hers. It isn't easy but if you try, if you focus on your love for your parents, it WILL become easier. Also, if there is just one thing that I can convey to you, WE CARE! We will keep you in our hearts and prayers. Thank you for sharing your intimate pain with us, now let the healing begin.

[Erisianmonkey]

I am sorry for the pain you feel. I must echo the words of others and say that I hope time and forgiveness will ease your pain. Blessed be, and take care of yourself.

[Bob C]

My sympathies, Alan. Be thankful for your Dad, who preserved those things for you.

[mbhandy]

I read your Post and felt your Pain. It is sad that yesterday we laied a President to rest also but it is the way of time to pass on and be a part of History.

And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make.

MrBill