The other day, my cousin Kay messaged me to tell me that another cousin had four photographs to send me. I gave her both my email address and snail mail address, giving them the option of just sending me a digital copy. When I checked my email later that night, the picture below was one of the four.

Now, to many of you, this is just a picture from the 1950s. For me, it is an amazing view of my parents that shows them to me in a whole new light. I have seen other older photos of them. But, this is the first one I have ever seen from this exact time in their lives. Unfortunately, anyone who could truly explain this photo has passed. It is left to me to imagine what it is all about.

I look at my dad in amazement. I never pegged him for the type of young man to be dressed like that. I wonder to myself if there is a pack of cigarettes rolled up in his right sleeve behind my mom. I look at how skinny he was, although I'm not surprised. He was always a very fit man, even in his last years. I look at his hair, not so much amazed by the amount of it, but, by the way he has obviously taken pride in styling it that way. In my lifetime, he always kept it cropped to about a half inch length. I ask myself, "What is he thinking?" and mourn the fact that I will never know.

I look at my mother and see that gorgeous smile that never changed. I notice that she is a little heavy in the shot. She would be on the heavy side most of her adult life, but that came after giving birth to Patti and me. I remember hearing that she had some miscarriages. Was this after one of them? I look at how she is holding that blanket in front of her. Was she feeling subconscious about her weight- a feeling I myself know all to well. Did she realize how pretty she always was, no matter the status of her weight. I ask myself, "What is she thinking?" and mourn the fact that I will never know.

How many other amazing photos of my parents are laying around in messy boxes or drawers in the homes of cousins or complete strangers? How many were tossed in the garbage as Dad's siblings passed away and their homes were cleared out? Where are all the photos that Dad took on this day that I am only able to glimpse a second of. He is holding a camera. They appear to be going somewhere that will involve sitting on a blanket. Are they going to a picnic? Are they going to a 4th of July fireworks display? Who took this picture? I mourn the fact that I will never know.