From the Archives

We've been trying to clear away things we've saved, stock-piled, stored, or otherwise preserved (sometimes inexplicably.)  It's an on-going challenge, and it's not at all easy.

 Examples?  All the photos that come with the Christmas cards; I find it painful to toss the pictures of new grandchildren or offspring in graduation garb. Then there is the artwork from Nursery School and the crafts from Art Class--not to mention the Christmas ornaments, now more than 25 years old, that are the worse for wear  

Among the items that pose difficult decisions are two large photographs of our children, taken early in the Senior year of high school.  Solon High School liked to motivate the student body, and it was traditional for large photographs of the National Merit kids to be displayed above the auditorium doors.  These are poster-sized enlargements, and since there was never any prior notice about the timing, the subjects might be having a bad hair day, or a wardrobe malfunction....or just  have an odd facial expression, but it didn't matter.  That photo was IT.

Laura graduated in 1999, so her picture was taken during that academic year; two years later, Nathaniel was photographed.  After graduation, the giant photos were taken down and unceremoniously given to the families.  These are pictures of our beloved children; who can throw them out?  (They're not brutal, but I'll just say that these are not especially attractive poses.  No flattery; no retouching.)

The photographer may have cued our son by saying, "Okay, let's go for a 'deer in the headlights' look, here."

 And it looks like our daughter was engaged in conversation when the shutter clicked. 















You're wondering about the little cartoon balloons, aren't you?


Well, we did come up with a use for Laura's photograph.  Sis was an experienced college sophomore when her brother graduated from HS, so she came up with helpful advice.  Some of the tips:
WEAR SHOES!  SHAVE!   THIMK!
Check your e-mail--(Maybe I wrote you.)
Don't procrastinate.
(In quivery lettering)  Don't drink too much coffee!
Remember I love you.

We haven't come up with a use for Nat's photo.  
But at least I've found a way to preserve the memories without having to keep these two gigantic posters.   These young high-schoolers are still in there somewhere, right?  Just disguised as a research physicist and a computer engineer.  Solon High School can be proud.