Photos from a Forgotten Time
“Request Mailing Address for mailing of 2 flash drives.” This is the subject line of an email I received yesterday. In the world of email scams and phishing attempts, my first reaction was one of skepticism. Then I opened the email. Inside was a letter from someone I haven’t seen in 30 years. Along with it, over 700 images from the years between 1988-1993.
His name is Lt. Colonel Thomas Lee and he was part of my life starting at age 7. He, my mom, and I spent the next five years laughing and sharing experiences together. I remember driving down my neighborhood road in his old, brown Mercedes diesel as he opened his driver’s door and pretended to fall out of the car (I’m pretty sure he’d get pulled over these days but back in the 80’s it was hilarious). I remember him suggesting that my mom name her Shih Tzu ‘Ewok, a Boy Named Sue’ in case she ever wanted to register him as a show dog. In the early 90’s, my mom and I traveled to Morocco to visit him while he was stationed there. He always had a camera in his hand and loved to document our adventures.
My mom and I in Marrakesh 1992
Pouring over these photos, a chapter of my life is unlocked as I see myself through someone else’s eyes: my first sleep-away camp, my clarinet recitals, elementary school functions, a trip to the U.S.S. North Carolina battleship, me drinking orange Fanta in Marrakesh. Tom also included an incredible number of campus photos he took while completing a Master’s at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And then there’s my mom, 80’s perm and fake nails, looking just as fiery as I remember.
I’m sitting on my friend’s porch as I read this email, watching our children play, realizing Arlo is the same age as I am in these photos. The 8-year-old me staring back through my phone’s screen is an eerie resemblance to the toothy boy running in front of me.
Life has a funny way of coming full-circle. I am reminded of the importance of documenting small moments, no matter how insignificant they may seem at the time. Because you never know the positive impact they may when they may be shared again 30 years later.