Because it’s still early January (in my opinion at least), I’m compelled to share this photo for #ThrowbackThursday.

Grandma and Papa Radford

It’s my favourite photo of my paternal grandparents. Grandma’s birthday was January 3 and every year I think of her; this year was no different. Her birthday was always the final party for my father’s family during the holidays. My father is one of three children, so they each took a day to host – Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and Grandma’s birthday. Grandma’s birthday was our evening to have everyone over and it was a nice way to finish off the holidays.

This photo was taken before I was born during a family trip to Disney World that involved my grandparents, my parents and brother, and my uncle (Dad’s brother), aunt and their three children.

There’s just something about this photo that I love. It’s a casual in-the-moment photo. Something you can’t catch if you try too hard. And this was back in the late 1970s, so there was no digital cheating or retaking available.

At first glance, I feel like the photo is from an old movie. I imagine Papa is a smooth talking stranger who happens to notice Grandma and starts chatting her up.

Imagine what they were discussing. The weather? What to eat for lunch? Reflecting on how nice it was to be on vacation with some of their children and grandchildren? Who knows.

My grandfather passed away when I was only four years old, so my memories of him are very limited. I really only have two that I can recall and even those are pretty fuzzy, but I cherish them.

My grandmother was a tough o’l bird and someone you didn’t mess with. She was with us until my last year of high school. Being the youngest of her grandchildren, she never did get to see me graduate. She also passed away just a couple of months before her first great-grandchild was born, but she was  always very proud of her “nine perfect grand children”. No doubt she would be very pleased with her 13 fabulous great-grandchildren that our family now has.

More photos like these to come down the road. I plan to raid my parents’ old photo albums in the coming months.

On Sunday, my cousin Megan is getting married. We’re all pretty excited because on my mom’s side of the family, there are only six “kids/grandchildren” amongst my mom and her two sisters. My grandparents are very proud of all of us and seeing a granddaughter get married is definitely on the list of proud moments for a grandparent.

I didn’t realize it until today, but the last time we were all at a wedding was mine six years ago! I also realize that I don’t have a photo with my cousins from my wedding, but I am happy to say that we started taking a group photo with my grandparents the following year at Christmas (and I’ll share that some other day perhaps).

I think we’re celebrating Nanny’s birthday in 1989.
L-R: Me, Nanny, Laura, Adam, Steven, and Megan. Standing in the back: Keith.

Growing up, the six of us were primarily in the St. John’s surrounding area and therefore saw each other on a regular basis (and very frequently in the spring when we have a lot of birthdays in the span of about three weeks… I’m not one to get tired of birthday cake but you probably would have if you were hanging out with us back then since everyone usually had their own cake!

Yes, we’re all growing up and because I’m the second eldest of the cousins (my brother being the most senior), I’m really feeling that my years are starting to stack up. My little cousins aren’t so little anymore. It’s really quite shocking at times. But I’m really proud of them all.

Unfortunately not all of us will be here for the wedding on Sunday, but it doesn’t mean we won’t all be together in spirit.

That’s how our family rolls – no matter where you are or how far away it may seem, you’re still with us during the important times and we’re always thinking of you. :)