Securing Sacred Moments, A Photo Album of Memories

Photographs capture and seal moments, sacred moments that can never, ever be fully duplicated. Photo albums act like little memory boxes for storing these pictures. Every household ought to have a family album. Each picture book has a unique history which tells a unique story. Indeed, no two albums will ever be the same. They may have identical covers, but the pictures in each book will always be different. Sometimes those pictures are the only connection between younger and older generations. What’s even more exciting with a photo album, is seeing how much people and times have changed.

Pictures reveal transformation and growth. They really do speak a thousand words—figuratively of course. A picture can identify trends and fads. It shows how a location such as a house, school or town can remain the same or drastically improve. A photograph also reveals changes in our appearances, from the hairstyles and clothes we use to wear, to how fat or skinny we use to be. It also tells how our relationships have grown or withered as well as how we’ve matured or stay the same.

Although there’s nothing like personally remembering the actual experience, an album secures moments throughout history. At times those moments are good, other times they’re bad. Either way, most are unforgettable. The emotions family photo albums evoke can bring tears or laughter, it all depends on individual memories. “[There is] A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4) Memories, good or bad, don’t change … even when people do.

“I always knew looking back on the tears would make me laugh, but I never knew looking back on the laughs would make me cry.” ~unknown

Call to Action
If you haven’t built your memory box as yet, there’s still time. Start gathering all photos, old and new. Look in closets, attics and under the beds. Get what you can from relatives; make copies if you have to. Include every picture. I know you might want to rip some of those old photos in two, but control the urge and put them in your album. Make it a family project by getting the kids involved. This will be an excellent way to share your family’s past and build a rapport.

What are some of your best memories from your photo album?