A life remembered.
When I was in college, I produced a scrapbook magazine for both my grandparents and the Seminara's as a special 50th Anniversary gift for each of them and our families. It was a great way to learn more about my own family through the boxes and boxes of photos my Grandma had collected over the years, and I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the Seminara family through the same experience as well. I collected old photos from Mrs. Seminara's albums and stories from each of her 4 kids to design it all together for a "Family Circle" magazine of their own family. It was through this experience, holding photos over 60 years old in my hands, that made me realize the importance of how photos play such an important part in family history and cherishing loved ones memories.
In looking at the photos of Mr. and Mrs. Seminara on their wedding day, I remember quoting in their magazine the lyrics from a Braid Paisley song, "All Because Two People Fell in Love":
Yea there ain't nothing not affected
When two hearts get connected
All that is will be or ever was
Every single choice we make
Every breath we get to take
Is all because two people fell in love
At the funeral on Saturday, the Seminara kids were so sweet to come up and tell me how much the book still meant to them all these years later, especially in this time of the passing of their father. Mr. and Mrs. Seminara waited a long time to be grandparents, and received their first grandkid in their 70s. They are now up to 7 grandkids and I'm so glad their young grandkids can have the book as well to remember their "Papa" by. It's an honor to have played a part in giving their family that gift. I guess it was only natural that I now have become a wedding photographer documenting two people who fell in love as they set out to start their own family history.
Before the funeral, I took a few photos of my own family. Here's my grandparents with my mom and her two brothers, my uncle Jeff and Chip. They all had to do Jeff's signature pose with the chin. He literally does this in every picture that has ever been taken of him.
A quick shot grabbed of mom and I.
Mom and Grandma lighting a candle of prayer for my dad before the service.
At the end of the day, Mrs. Seminara and her grandkids each released a balloon to Heaven to send up to their Grandpa in his new home. That's Mrs. Seminara's hands letting go of the middle balloon with a cross on it. The symbolism of letting go moves me to tears looking at the photo.
Mrs. Seminara surrounded in lots of little love after the balloon release. Such a sweet photo!
Labels: Personal
7 Comments:
That is so sweet Scarlett. and now they will have these memories to add to their scrapbooks as well.
Scarlett , I just read what you wrote on your website and it moved me to tears. You have really touched all of our hearts. My mother in law will love the gift the picture of the balloons and her hand just well I cant really put it into words besides that I have tears rolling down my face. You have a very special gift. We have all felt like saturday was an uplifting day. Dad was proud of everyone I know and he got the send off he deserved and I thank you for thinking of taking pictures because I would of never thought of doing that. I did not get the pictures from Chip yet and I would like to get them by next weekend if possible as I am getting together with my scrapbook gals and would love to scrapbook these pages while everything is still so fresh in my mind. Thank you again for everything you have done for our family...
Much Love
Jen
I love the photo with balloons. What a sweet gesture and a great shot of a beautiful memory!
I love that you took pictures. This is just as important day as any in a person's life and should be documented. And you did it so well. xoxoxo
Hello Scarlett,
Beautiful pictures as always. I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in our prayers each day and night.
In Christ Love,
Shari Collins
Hey Scarlett,
This was a tough post to read as I've been missing my original mentor - my mother. I guess it's because that time of the year is rolling around with the holidays.
Your courage and braveness if very honourable and I"m so impressed with your strength.
Have a terrific Baby Friday - cheers!
David Esquire
Esquire Photography
www.esquirephotography.com
That is beautiful! Especially loved the one releasing the balloons.
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