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Bittersweet…
Posted on September 3, 2010
Going home is always good, no matter the occasion…except I guess if it’s for a funeral. 
My Grandfather lived a very long, full life, and his death wasn’t unexpected….or shocking. But saying goodbye to him ~ and ultimately to an “era” ~ was hard.
If you read my blog, you already know that my Mom is one of 10 kids….she’s number 5 actually ~ so totally the middle child! You also know that I have a HUGE extended family…like we could have our own town…wait, we do. Anyway, I’m technically the oldest of all the grandchildren, unless you count my cousin Wendy, who technically came after me. She and my cousin Tommy came as a package deal when my Uncle Barry married my Aunt Carla. 
And I was SO happy….Wendy and I shared so many talks, secrets, dreams….she is truly my soul sister. And I miss her! The good part about funerals? You get to see everybody…and it may be the last time we’re all together in that place…
So, me being ME, I forced asked everyone to take some group family pics, ya know…since we’re NEVER together like this. They obliged…..
My amazing family
I also have these in color…but for this post, I’m using black and white for family photos….’cause it’s my blog and I can post black and white if I wanna!
I love my Mom sooo much ~ blessed to have her in my life. Very grateful.
My "baby" brother and his beautiful wife.....wish we could hang out more...
The afore-mentioned Wendy ~ miss her so much
"The Ten"
and “The Ten” back in the day…..
My Uncle Chip and Aunt Jan would take me to Florida to babysit during summer vacations when I was in High School....so fun.
The extended families of Uncle Barry & Aunt Carla..my how they've grown!!
No, this is not Santa. (although my kids think he is related) Uncle Reggie (the oldest of "The Ten" & shares the same bday as my first born, Reece) & Aunt Debbie & their amazing children and their spouses....
Aunt Jeanine and Uncle Anthony ~ both taught music to me at different points in my life. Both are amazing musicians/artists/teachers.
My Godmother, Madelyn and her husband Dave ~ I still have all the hand written letters we shared for years... they are priceless to me.
Aunt Simone & Christopher....I can't really explain how much she has impacted my life. She was like the older sister I never had....a mentor, friend...and one of the most selfless people I've ever met.
My Aunt Dianne and her *baby* Justin...she was like a second mother to me...and a fellow Virgo
Aunt Eileen, Uncle Mike and Sarah....they are truly the 3 muskateers! I called her Lulu when I was a baby....she'll always be Lulu to me
My Uncles ~ "The Guys"
Gotta love little girls running!
Cassidy..
I wanted to take as many photos of my grandparents' house b/c it may not be there when I go back....well, it'll be there, but their "things" may not be. Wanted to get all those details so I could remember
My Grandfather's belongings, and of course, his rosary ~ on his dresser
In my mind, they will always look this way
My Grandmother's perfumes
I used to ring this bell when I was a very little girl when I was sick and wanted my Grandmother to bring me *Sprite* ~ and she would. This bell is older than I am.
One of two violins my Grandmother played.....
I could shoot these violins all day
I always wished I could play them...but never learned
The flowers at my Grandfather's funeral were never-ending...
and beautiful. He was deeply loved and appreciated by so many people.
My Grandfather's war medals
I hope Andrew and I are as happy and connected as my grandparents were....and ARE. They're together again, and although I miss them, I know they are always near.
My Mother, along with her brothers and sisters will spend their next few months going through over 50 years of memories in the house they grew up in. I think that process would be both wonderful and difficult….re-discovering memories long ago forgotten, finding new ones, undiscovered. My Grandmother kept Every. Single. Little. Thing. She was incredibly organized and knew where everything was….
So much of me is because of who they were.
“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors.
All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”
~ Thich Nhat
Tags: child and family photography, family ties, Renee Bowen
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16 Comments so far
Renee…words cannot express how very proud I am of you and these pictures that you took of the “family” and memories. You not only are a wonderful photographer, you have put your heart and soul in every picture. I love you and am so proud of you!! Aunt Carla
That means so much to me
Thank you!!
I am just in tears over here! Seeing all these amazing photos and reading about your family really touches me. I feel the love oozing out from them. I know I don’t know all of them, but somehow I can feel the pulse of your beautiful family through these, Renee. The photos are incredible.
Renee,
This is an incredible group of pictures. There is a sensitivity and artistry present in this collection that seems rare, but then not surprising since you are descended from a lineage of artists. It is a gift to be able to see the unique personalities captured in both the photos of our family members as well as the objects that represent them so well: Daddy’s war medals, Mama’s perfumes, their rosaries and blessed objects, the bell. All of these move me to tears. I also especially like the picture of my four brothers. How amazing that you captured them in such a candid moment so that each of their faces conveys their personality so well! And also the pictures of us girls. The ending comment is also wonderful and appropriate. Thank you for this beautiful gift to us, Renee. Love, Nanny
Renee,your blog is wonderful. You truly have a gift – in your photography, of course, but also in your writing. You captured so many wonderful moments of our lives, our childhood and MonMon and PaPa. Thanks for the beautiful pictures (then and now). It made me cry, but in a good way! Love you so much! Mom
Renee, you touched my heart deeply by not only your captivating eye in the photographs, but by the connection to your heart in the narrative. I am so proud of you and your work! Love you so much!
Aunt Mone
Renee…your photos and words brought me both tears and smiles as only a true artist can. This is a beautiful tribute to that day and many, many days before it. Thank you for capturing and sharing the memories! Love, Jaclyn
Renee, The pictures are beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to your family and of course to your grandparents. Your grandparents were wonderful and good good people.
THESE PHOTOS ARE ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS, I KNOW THEY MEAN A GREAT DEAL TO ALL OF THE FAMILY. YOU DID A GREAT JOB RENEE
Renee, The pictures are just beautiful and what a beautiful tribute to your family. You truly have a gift for photography. The pictures are just fabulous.
Renee,
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute. It really touched my heart. Love you always.
Such beautiful and touching pictures, Renee. You are so talented.
Such beautiful and touching pictures, Renee. You are so talented!
Thank you all for your comments – means so much to me
Renee, As always you did a superb job..kudos to you. You are so talented and what a true tribute to your family. I’m sure they are all proud of what a success and wonderful job you have done…the photos were absolutely awesome. I can never get my family to cooperate enough to get photos taken…strangers I can; but not my own family…funny huh..
Renee, these pictures are priceless, thank you for doing that for us! I especially loved the one of MawMaw’s perfumes, it made me think of my own Granny’s perfume collection. Something about that generation was so much more lady-like. Just beautiful. It was wonderful to see everyone, and again thank you for taking the beautiful pictures!