“Nostalgia”. The word is a Greek compound, consisting of “nóstos”—meaning “homecoming” and “álgos”—meaning “pain and ache”. Wow. That’s exactly what nostalgia is to me. It’s that deep pain inside that aches for the past, that longs for home. It’s a warm feeling—home. And homecoming means just that—coming home. So for me, it’s a conflicting emotion. The warmth of home and aching for moments that can never be … again.
My parents and grandparents—how I ache for the moments I had with them. How I long for a conversation with my mother and dad. It makes me talk a lot longer and take a lot more time with my brother and sisters. I look at the photos of my children and I think Did I do those moments justice? Was I fully there for each one? Just now as I think of this time last year, there are memories I long for. Though I can never return to the past, I have this very moment to make a memory to cherish.
We cannot possess the past, but the past can mold our present.
Behold the present, and be all there.
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This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with a theme of “Nostalgia”. You can see many others at the following link: Weekly Photo Challenge: Nostalgia
Much thanks to Vastly Curious for her in-depth definition of this week’s theme.
SimplySage 
Rob
/ July 12, 2013That is a wonderful family collage! I had a similar idea, but didn’t go back 2 generations. Very nice 🙂
SimplySage
/ July 17, 2013Perhaps you will start a trend for future generations to carry on. It’s never too late. The older photos are on my shelves. I’ve had them for many years. On a technical note, rather than scan I took them out and put them in natural light and snapped the photo with my iPhone. It’s good enough for the blog but haven’t checked to see how the resolution captures with printing. Since you’re experimenting with photography, thought I’d pass that along.
As always, thanks for your comments.
Zhang Wenjie
/ July 12, 2013Very poignant. I’m expecting a new addition to the family, and hope I will always remember to be there.
SimplySage
/ July 17, 2013Yes, be there. And take lots of pictures. 🙂 Thank you so much for your visit and taking the time to comment. Enjoy every moment with your new little one.
Amy
/ July 12, 2013Thank you for sharing your memories! Beautiful, precious photos.
SimplySage
/ July 17, 2013Thank you, Amy. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Take care!
Tina Schell
/ July 12, 2013Well said SS. I too would love just one more conversation with my mom OR my dad. Hindsight–always 20/20
SimplySage
/ July 17, 2013Agree! Thanks, Tina.
Apple Hill Cottage
/ July 13, 2013Oh such photos! I love the marriage photo of your grandparents.
and even now — even after I KNOW the importance of being fully there — still I fail at it…
it is the fallen human condition I think. thank you for the reminder!
SimplySage
/ July 17, 2013Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all fail at this. Some days we are really really good at it. Other days, not so good. Sometimes it’s two steps forward, three steps back. Sometimes opposite. But the effects are cumulative and as a friend once told me–”Any effort at raising a family, even the smallest, makes it very hard to mess it up.”
Thanks for your visit and taking the time to comment. Peace.
gopi chand narang
/ July 15, 2013EXCELLENT, VERY PERCEPTIVE AS IF THE STORY OF MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY
SimplySage
/ July 17, 2013I’m glad to hear this resonates with you. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Peace, Alexandria
niki
/ July 19, 2013Beautiful pictures and family 🙂