Photographs were rare at the turn of the century. I am certain that for this young lady being photographed was an event. She may be in her late teens, and she probably came from an affluent family. She wears a stylish hat and roses. Surprisingly enough, her small smile actually reveals some teeth. Rarely did the photographer's subject smile much less part their lips. You have to wonder what she thought as she posed for this picture. Probably hoping she would look pretty in the photograph. This might have been an engagement picture or one celebrating a graduation or eighteenth birthday.
We will never know. Just as we don't know her name or what happened to her during her lifetime.
However, I do know that this young lady probably never in a thousand lifetimes thought that her portrait would end up hanging over a toilet at a country-style restaurant in Alabama.
The fate of this portrait really represents what happens after a couple of generations pass away. I'm sure this was probably sold off at an estate sale like most pictures of people who no longer exist, not even in memories of their descendants. They are used for decorations, especially in stores and restaurants. I've always loved to look at the ones in Cracker Barrel and wondered who they were and what kind of life they had. I'm the same way about all the old stuff they have hanging from the walls and ceilings. Old toys and cooking utensils. You know they once belonged to and were used by someone, who left them behind in this world. The same is true of the girl's picture.
The same will be true of us as well. There will be things we have, our treasures, that will someday be antiques. Our laptop computers may one day decorate the interior of a restaurant along with our portraits. So be sure to smile and look your best when you have your picture made. A hundred years from now, you may be smiling over a toilet!
No comments:
Post a Comment