Going through some old photos with Mom earlier this fall, we came across one that stopped me in my tracks.
Featured was a young couple, obviously happy to see each other, locked in a passionate embrace.
It’s a photo so intimate that I feel a bit voyeuristic just looking at it.
You see, I knew the people in the photo. But I never knew them like that.
I remember seeing shared smiles between them and I certainly recall him holding the door for her and, on occasion, taking her hand. They were both very dignified, modest and perhaps even a bit shy.
In all my life of knowing them, I never saw anything that resembled this.
His strong Swedish arms wrapped around her, his wide hands clasped behind her back. Her head tilted slightly to the left, leaning into him and his kiss.
His cheeks, flushed with sunshine and good health; his eyes closed in the moment. Her stockings, dress and heels; her arms around tucked in at his waist.
I don’t know where this was taken, but as soon as I saw it, I knew who it was: My paternal Grandparents, Ausser and Pearl.
As one of their 19 grandchildren, being privy to this image reminds me that, once upon a time, they were young and their love was new. Each touch .. an inspiration.
And although I witnessed their enduring devotion to each other, having attended their 50th, 60th and 70th Wedding Anniversary parties, it’s the sweet young love seen below that stopped me in my tracks.
"The Kiss"; an emjayandthem photo(C)
Sometimes I wonder why I spend
The lonely nights dreaming of a song
The melody haunts my reverie
And I am once again with youWhen our love was new
And each kiss an inspiration
But that was long ago
And now my consolation is in the stardust of a songBeside the garden wall
When stars are bright …
You are in my arms
The nightingale tells his fairy tale
Of paradise where roses bloom.And though I dream in vain
There always will remain
… My stardust melody
The memory of love’s refrain.
