This sweet photo of my mama and papa (my grandparents) was taken roughly 40 years ago by my great-uncle, and it evokes in me a variety of emotions.
Sometimes when I look at it, I feel intrusive. It's like I'm peaking in a window and catching a glimpse of something meant to be private. They just look so content, so at peace, like they are exactly where they want to be, which is amazing since they probably had their five sons running around in the background.
Other times when I look at it I feel hopeful, because at the end of the day, that should be the picture of love. They had a calming effect on one another. If Papa was upset or mad or whatever, all Mama had to do was put her hand on his arm and her touch would immediately calm him down. They completed each other in every sense.
These days, when I look at this photo, I feel sad. My sweet papa passed away suddenly about a year and a half ago, and even after this much time has passed, I can't imagine the pain Mama feels. I imagine it's like losing part of yourself. They were together for 55 years.
I will forever be grateful that my uncle looked over one day, saw them sitting there in their own little world, and decided to pick up his camera and freeze that moment in time.
