Thursday, December 8, 2011

Sepia Saturday: Mother and Child

Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to share family history through old photographs.




This week’s Sepia Saturday challenge is a simple photo of mother and child.  If there’s a prize for “the most similar photo,” then I should win!




Just look.  Little boys are on the left and the mothers are on the right.  Both women are wearing a hat. 

This is my maternal grandfather’s cousin Reba Coleman Morris (1896-1994) and one of her sons, but I’m not sure which.  I’ll guess it’s James Mitchell Morris, Jr. who was born in 1924.  Reba’s son Maxon lived only a year, but this child appears older than that. 

Most of my grandparents’ cousins are only vague memories, but Reba is vivid because of one questionable decision she made.  One of our relatives in Shenandoah, Virginia, had died.  It was a 4-hour drive to Shenandoah for the funeral, so Reba asked if she could ride with my parents.  Sure, come on.  The morning of the funeral, Reba announced she was going to the beauty parlor to get a permanent.  I don't know if she didn't think about the time required for a perm or if she didn't care, but as you can no doubt guess, she missed the funeral.  Grandma was furious and fussed about Reba for months afterwards and then forever.  “Going all that way just to get your hair done. Hrmph.”

It’s so ridiculous – what can you do but laugh?

13 comments:

  1. Cool photograph; both seem to have a self-satisfied smile.
    There is one thing true about funerals - we'll all be late at our own.

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  2. I think the mothers look quite a bit alike.

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  3. That’s both funny and sad- poor Reba. It’s a charming photo and I’d say you were definitley in with a chance for a prize. That’s one helluva hat pin though :)

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  4. Little Nell, Yeah, it looks like someone shot an arrow through Reba's head.

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  5. Decisions, decisions, funeral or get a perm???

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  6. I would have a hard time forgetting that tale of the perm, too. Some people are oblivious. That hat pin could do double duty as a billy club.

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  7. I don't think it is actually a hat pin. Hat pins were usually applied toward the top of the crown and the back. I also have never seen two that match or come together in such a way as to look like this one. I think this might be a part of the hat itself.

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  8. A perfect photo for this week.

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  9. For sure resembles the prompt for this week.

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  10. You get the prize!

    That is such a funny story. I knew a woman a few years back who asked me to drive into the city with her and 5 kids for her son's birthday party at a pizza parlour. I couldn't believe it when she wanted to leave the kids there and have me drive her to get her hair cut. I said no, we would eat pizza first and then take the kids with us! Good thing I was there, lol. The kids and I went to a school playground as she was beautified. Sounds like your relative was of the same sort.

    Great pic and great story. Happy Sepia Saturday,

    Kathy M.

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  11. Yes, I agree. A perfect match, and a nice story too.

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  12. That is such a wonderfully interesting and yet odd hat. It looks like a bird perch was stuck through it.

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  13. An odd character, if you ask me.
    Vanity got the best of her,
    but a remarkable photograph nonetheless.
    :)~
    HUGZ

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