Thanksgiving 1969

This is my extended family 40 years ago. I was almost one, so probably sat off to the side in a high chair smearing mashed potatoes all over myself.

Carving the turkey is my Grandpa, John. I blogged about him once, about how he lost a finger in a lawn mower and about his stoicism and infuriating reserve. He was in the Navy during World War II, though I could never convince him to tell me stories from those days. His reticence frustrated me back then. Now I wonder if he was too traumatized to speak of it. I don't know.

When this photo was taken, he and my grandma, Ruth, to his left, owned a 9-hole golf course (hence the lawn mower incident). They lived there, in the clubhouse, occupying a few designated rooms upstairs and off the back. We took big family meals in the common dining area. And this is where the photo was shot. Oh, how I remember that golf course. Even now, the fuely smell from a fleet of golf carts takes me right back.

The auburn-haired stunner to the right is my aunt, Betsy. She's an all around lovely person with an artistic eye and a sweet soul.

I hesitated to post this picture. It's just a holiday snapshot, after all. Probably boring to most of you. But I love how it captures a family moment, a moment when the world was about to enter 1970. And how that time makes me think of so many other happy times from my very groovy childhood.

Comments

[Susan (Trout Towers)]

This photo does all the right things.

Have a lovely day!

[Lisa]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Brenda Kula]

Just stumbled upon your blog from another, as it always seems to happen of course! Loved the photo. The mental vision of you smashing mashed potatoes. Probably into your hair! I'm having a lovely day home with the pets. The husband is working at the hospital. And I'm enjoying stumbling upon lovely blogs such as yours, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Brenda

[vodkamom]

I adored this picture. It brought me back...........

[kcinnova]

Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm glad you posted the photo. Pictures sometimes do tell more than words.

[cynthia newberry martin]

Thanks for sharing this photo. It definitely catches a moment in time.

1969 doesn't seem like all that long ago, but when I look at this picture or do the math (40 years!), I realize that it was.

[Jenn]

I love the photo; I love looking at photos like that, no matter whose. I'm always intrigued by the story of each person, if it turned out the way they hoped.

[sister]

Is that George at the near end of the table?

[All Adither]

I think it is!

[Chris]

I love photos that capture a moment. I'm glad you shared it. Hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving. :-)

[Kasey]

Thanks for posting this. It actually made me cry a little.