Stay Stock Still

I have been unfit to visit Mum since the day after she arrived at Woodpeckers Care Home on 25th January. Reports are, however, most encouraging. She has ventured into the communal areas which we did not expect, and a couple of days ago only declined at the last minute to join a trip to a garden centre because of the inclement weather.

My beloved niece, Danni has posted this photograph on her Facebook page. Ella (seven weeks) is appropriately to the fore. She needed her mother (33) to cradle her into position. My sister Elizabeth (65) sits behind her daughter; alongside sits our mother (96) clutching a quarter of a napkin she has divided up for economy. It is almost a century since Mum was the same age as her great granddaughter. Had such a photograph been possible at that time there would have been no relaxed smiles or waving arms – all subjects would have been urged to stay stock still.

I continued my rest, reading, and recuperation.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent pork chop; creamy mashed potato and swede; roast parsnips; crunchy carrots; and tender runner beans; with flavoursome gravy.

83 comments

  1. There is no worse shock than the one you’ve suffered, Derrick and everyone handles it differently. Do whatever you think is best.

  2. It is lovely to see those generational family groupings. Suddenly it seems as if a century isn’t that very long after all……. 🙂 I’m glad to hear you are resting and recuperating and I know Jackie will be tending you with great care xo

  3. I’m glad your mother seems to be doing well. That is such a wonderful photo–I agree with Pauline on all points above. 🙂 Hope you feel better soon.

  4. That is a photo to cherish. Such a rare opportunity to record four generations of women.
    I hope you are back to your old self soon and ready to enjoy spring in the garden.

  5. A beautiful portrait of the four generations from Danni! I am glad to hear your mother is adjusting well. Continue to rest and get well, Derrick.

  6. OH! This sweet photo of such precious people brought joy-tears to my eyes, Derrick! How wonderful to have 4 generations of women together! 🙂 This will be an important photo to Ella when she is older. 🙂

    Your Mum looks good! I’ve continued to pray for her and think of her and wish her well!

    Keep resting, reading, and recuperating! Jackie’s tender lovin’ care and wonderful meals are helping I know! 🙂
    HUGS to you, Jackie, your Mum, and your whole family! 🙂

  7. That’s a delightful four generation photo. It’s rare that we have the opportunity to capture those kinds of moments. Good to hear from you, Derrick. I pray you will be well enough to visit your mum very soon. Hugs to you! <3

  8. Four generations of sassy, beautiful women. That is a fabulous photo. Ella is looking quite contented and I cannot believe that Danni is 33. She looks like a babe herself. Hugs to you all.

  9. By coincidence, Mrs T was visiting hr mother (102) with our daughter today. She only managed three generations and didn’t take a delightful; picture as Danni did.

  10. Ella was my paternal grandmother’s name. I have only one photo of her, but it will be in my blog one of these days; it shows she and my grandfather at my third birthday party. And you’re so right about those “frozen” expressions that were a staple of early photography. I also have one tintype of my gr-great-grandparents with their three daughters. When I was younger, I thought they were sourpusses. Now I realize they were being “good” for the photographer!

  11. Nice photo Derrick. Your Mom looks great. My Mom actually turned 96 years old yesterday 3/13/19. Last one of her generation still living.

  12. Had such a photograph been there no matter how stiff and serious looking the subjects were, you would have been able to juxtapose eight generations with merely two exposures! The present photograph is a study in human life cycles and is multi-epochal in its bearings.

  13. Definitely one for the photo album! 🙂 Wonderful shot of four fabulous ladies (OK so the 4th is a fabulous lady-to-be!) 😉

    Hope your appetitie for Jackie’s home cooking continues to regain it’s previous proportions and you can soon be well enough to see Mum in person. Be well. 🙂

  14. A wonderful photo, Derrick. I hope you continue to feel better and will soon be able to visit your Mum. She has had a lot to deal with recently too; I wish her well. 🙂

  15. And the Victorians always adopted the No smiling pose.
    Years back we did a mock up family photo at Windsor station, I forget the official event. I was the only one of the family who looked half reasonable. It made us realise how miserable cross we look when we don’t smile!

  16. Lovely photo Derrick – though I feel only babies and 96-year-olds need their age in brackets. Sisters and nieces may feel that you are providing too much information, particularly as they both look much younger. 🙂

    Hope your health continues to improve.

  17. Four generations of beautiful women in this picture! Good they can relax and smile 🙂 In the 19th century, the sitters had to be still because of the long exposure, and this tradition lived until the 1920s I guess. You wouldn’t want to come out blurred 🙂

Leave a Reply