We were young once. Yes, we were. We were unsure about the future, always short of money, always worried about what would threaten our little family, and I was always taking pictures. I loved capturing moments, memories!

Philip decided that my portable hard drive was in danger of failure and entirely out of date – and he is right – so I bought a new drive which is a third of the size and ten times as fast.

As a result, I’ve been wondering through some of those pictures, those memories! Above is Jason being held by Wendy’s grandmother as she looks on. These were our early days as parents and we were determined to do it right! Like all new parents, we were nervous but delighted that our family was growing.

Our pictures are not all staged or of babies. Nope, kids grow up and they do funny things. Philip could always be counted on to be the one who had his tongue out for a picture. And of course, they were growing and learning and that was delightful too.

I used to think some of our best memory-building happened on vacation. Again, money was really tight but Wendy’s grandmother (see above) helped up get into a small tent trailer and off we went enjoying camping. I always tried to have enough money set aside so we could rent a boat and get our fishing. Fishing was one of my real great memories as a kid. I loved it. I spent hours out in the boat on the water with a fishing rod in my hand. So if we were going camping I tried to get us near water and a boat.

Speaking of capturing a moment. Here is Phil getting his cast off. Long story – no I did NOT push him off the mountain, but yes he fell. The fact that he only broke his wrist I think is testimony to my prayers at that moment! Thank you Dr. Jim for looking after this boy!

I’ve said this before – this is one of my favourite photos. It’s not a great photo and I’m not in it, but this was the first September we were back in Ontario and we got everyone together – well almost everyone. But both our Moms are here, both our sisters are here. Jason and Susan, Philip and Amanda are here. It is a moment I cherised then and now. What a great memory.

I”ve posted this picture many times. Another moment captured that I treasure. I don’t know what Jason is talking about, but my Dad is listening and I was captured by the thought that we were three generations out for a walk and this had not happened very often.

This morning Phil, Fitz and I went for breakfast and I had that same thought.

This may be one of the last pictures, or for that matter one of the last times we saw Grandpa Redbourne. He was Wendy’s maternal grandfather and a most delightful man. Seemingly always happy, whistling, telling stories, quick with a joke, and the offer of a beer! I enjoyed his company greatly. Kind and generous but knew how to squeeze every penny out of dollar. If Grandpa Redbourne was going to be in the room I looked forward to it.

Wendy and I were at the trailer and I called her over for a quick selfie in front of it. This turned out to be another favourite photo. I don’t know why exactly but I love this shot. It was a lovely day, we were relaxed and we were together!

The very first time we went camping, we borrowed a trailer from someone in the corps and spent a week in a very old trailer. They were kind but I’m not sure we were ready for what we found. At any rate, Wendy took Jason over to the swings and I ever ready with my camera got this shot. Again, a memory captured of us as young parents!

And this last photo of Wendy in Florida. We were only married a year or two and we decided to go to Florida. My Nanny, my Dad’s mother, had a house in Ormond Beach just north of Daytona. We invited Wendy’s Mom and sister to join us. The four of us drove down…and the AC was not working in the house! At any rate, we had a good time and enjoyed the warmth of the Florida sun and somewhere along the way, I took this picture of Wendy. I think this was in St. Augustine where we went to see the fort and surrounding sights.

So if you aren’t one who takes pictures often, let me encourage you to do so. If you do, let me encourage you to take photos to mark occasions, even small ones! One day you may be glad for the captured memory.