Family History

My grandmother Carmela knows every date that anything happened in her life and the lives of her family.  Seriously, she is like a walking almanac for us.  "Grandma, what year did you parents get married?"  "1921"  "How old were you in this picture, Grandma?"  "I was 8 years old."  "Grandma, what happened on September 28th, 1937?"  Okay, well maybe not that one but pretty close.  Her mind is a steel trap.  Somehow, I can't remember where I put my lunch that I made 10 minutes ago when I am trying to get out the door to work but my grandma can remember everything. 

Grandma was going through some of these memories when she decided that I, as the oldest grandchild, should become the next generation of family historian and she sent me a package of wonderful family photos.  Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love old notstalgic things so I was beyond thrilled when I got this package out of nowhere. 

Here is what it contained:

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  a note from Grandma explaining the package
  
  
  
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  a set of my Papa's (Great Grandpa) keys
  
  
  
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  old receipts from 1921 from my Papa's store
  
  
  
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  My Great-Great Grandfather Nunzio's Visa to return to Italy from the US in 1921
  
  
  
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  a dozen or so photos of my great ancestors- Nunzio, Papa (John was his name), Anne, Grace, the whole gang dating from 1900 to 1950's when my father was young
  
  
  

To me, these are incredible bits of family history that I am honored to have in my life.  I called my grandparents and thanked them for the gift.  These are irreplaceable and priceless.

I plan on scanning these photos and treasures into my computer for safe keeping.  But I am also an old fashioned girl myself and I just can't pass up the opportunity to preserve these memories in a tactile way.  So, I am off to the craft store to get supplies to put these in a archival photo book so that, one day, I can pass on the treasures and stories to my grandchildren and they to theirs. 

Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa.  You are the greatest gift a granddaughter can ask for.