The Photo Album
MonaLee Wilson
“Hey Grams, we’re here.” Angela ran up the steps to the house. It had been a long, tiring drive and she and her brother Ed were glad it was at an end. It was more than worth the long drive when they got to visit with their favorite grandparents. They did not get back as often as they would like and even less seldom together. Angela was tall for a woman and looked so much like Grams. It made her happy to hear this as she admired her Grandmother above all else. Grams was her role model in all things. Although three years younger than Angela, Ed was the taller of the two. Both were above average attractive. Ed was engaged and Angela was still unattached.
“In here sweetheart,” Grams answered, “just going down memory lane while Gramps is sleeping.” Photo albums surrounded Ida Campbell, her history in black and white and color. At age 85 her life had been long, and eventful. As the years had passed, she had not keep track of them other than through her pictures. Ida treasured each one and looked at the albums often, as she relived all the important events. Most of the pictures gave her a feeling of pleasure, but not all of them. Ida had once thought to remove all those which caused pain but changed her mind. They were a part of her history and had to be included or the story would not be complete. Life was both good and bad. This was also a testament of perseverance, of working through the troublesome times, of love enduring. Her albums were her legacy to all her grandchildren. She had told them the stories that went with each picture enough times so they would be remembered.
Angela and Ed always enjoyed Gram’s stories, especially about things no longer available, things they would never experience. Mostly though they wanted to hear about the love story of Grams and Gramps.
Ida was in the middle of her 17th year when she met Gramps. She was slim and pretty with long, thick auburn hair. In later years she often pondered on how attraction worked. Louis Campbell was visiting his friend Brian and they were both attractive young men but Ida only saw Louis. Why was that? He was average in height, with this most wonderful smile. Brian was taller but had an equally nice smile. They were both fun to be with and she saw them often. Still it was Louis she gave her heart to. Six months later they were married, and firmly believed in the “for better, for worse, till death do we part.” They moved from California to a small farming community in Washington. Money was in short supply and jobs were scarce since it was winter. The only available house on the farm was little more than a shell but Ida and Louis didn’t seem to care. They were young and in love. Come spring there would be plenty of work.
Grams picked up the album with their courting pictures. “This is our special park,” she tenderly touched a photo of the two young lovers. “Money was always a problem and the park was free. We spent many hours there as we spun out dreams and what our lives would be like in the future. We knew it would be glorious. It’s hard to remember we were ever that young,” Grams said, “but then, that was taken 68 years ago.”
“Oh Grams,” sighed Angela, “you were beautiful and Gramps, well Gramps was just so hot.”
Ida’s eyes misted with the threat of tears as her memory wandered back again. Such strong passions they had. It was a good thing they did not know what was in store for them. They wouldn’t have believed it anyway. Nothing would ever lessen their love for each other, it was too strong. “The world was so different then.” Grams stated. “Some call it a simpler, more peaceful time and in many ways it was. Not much attention is paid to time as it passes when there is so much life to be lived. We had no conception of the changes to come.”
“How so Grams?” Ed wanted to hear it again even though he knew the story by heart.
“Well,” Grams explained, “just for starters, there were none of the electronics you so enjoy. In the evenings we gathered around the radio, not the television. Women did not wear jeans, shorts or cropped tops showing their belly buttons, we dressed up for church and special occasions. The only body parts pierced were the ears of women for one set of earrings. Space travel was considered science fiction. It’s true: we did have a special day set aside for washing clothes, ironing, baking and so on. There were no automatic washing machines or dryers. Clothes were hung on a clothesline outside and smelled wonderful when dry. Babies wore cloth diapers. Too much today is disposable but I can not say I enjoyed doing the messy diapers.”
“We know all that Grams,” Ed prodded, “tell us again about you and Gramps.”
Ida knew the routine as she continued. “You remember how Gramps always laughed and smiled? That was his nature. When times were bleak, he had a way of making them better. He would take me in his arms, rub my back, give me his best smile and tell me tomorrow would be a better day. And it usually was. Then our first baby died and it seemed, for a while, his laughter was gone. Our love took us through that rough time and eventually there were five more babies.
“Yes,” Angela interrupted, “one was our daddy.” The three of them were lost in thought as Ida went to the pictures of their youngest son, Jim, who had died in Viet Nam shortly after Ed was born. Six years later Jim’s wife died also, leaving Grams and Gramps to raise Angela and Ed. Although lessened, the pain of loss would always be with them.
Grams continued, “You both know our lives were not always sweet but our love was always there to see us through. That’s the most important thing to remember. When love is fresh and new, we believe life will always be wonderful and when it is not, that’s when we have to hold on the tightest to our love for each other.”
Ida flipped through the pages of pictures, and sometimes laughed as the memories flooded her mind. “There are those silly Halloween costumes. How we loved the fun of those days. Gramps and I always tried to outdo each other with outlandish creations. Kinda wild, huh?” Ida’s hand stopped at the picture of her and Louis dancing to a love song on the radio. With a smile on her lips, she whispered, “Sexy.” This caused Angela and Ed to giggle. They gave each other this knowing look. Oh yeah, their Grams and Gramps were definitely sexy. When asked what first attracted him to Ida, Louis got this leer on his face and said one word. “Lust.” That usually was good for a laugh but Louis was serious.
Ida closed the album and reached for another one. There were not so many pictures now. These were the dark years when they seemed to have lost their way. The laughter and smiles had been missed for a long time as the daily struggle to continue became harder. Their love remained but not much seemed to be good anymore. There was this coldness neither one seemed able to understand. Both were in pain and could not get around it or reach out to each other.
Ida quickly put aside the album. They did not need sad memories at this time. Choosing another, more current book, Ida cherished the recent additions. “How much fun we had with Gramp’s bald head. Remember this one? Which one of you drew that cartoon on top?” Laughter eased the previous sadness as the memories flowed. So many changes through the years. Ida and Louis were still an attractive couple despite the wrinkles. Angela and Ed could not remember a time when they were not there.
Here were the 50th, 60th and 65th anniversary celebrations. “How blessed we are with family and friends,” Grams said softly. “So many of our friends are gone now but we did have some wonderful, and chaotic times.
With a sigh, Ida closed the album. “That’s all for now, we need to fix lunch.” On the way to the kitchen the three of them went to the hospital bed set up in the living room. Ida and Louis had gotten through the “for better, for worse,” now it was time for the “till death do we part.” Gramps was dying and it would be soon. It was his time and his only regret was leaving Ida behind. Lunch was only a ritual, something to do, as it would not be eaten by Gramps. Ida gently kissed her husband’s cheek, and squeezed his hand. Louis responded weakly. His eyes said, “I love you.” They’d had a good, long marriage, and her heart still beat faster when she looked at him. In her eyes Louis was still that handsome young man she had fallen in love with and she was 17 again.