Today, I went thru some of the family photo albums. 

The albums start in the mid 60s - mid 80s +sorting out photos of the more 'recent' ones is 'under construction'!+

Some photos made me smile while others brought tears to my eyes.  Some even made my heart ache.  One thing that really grabbed my attention was that we sure did celebrate brithdays like mad!!! lol  Huge cakes and way too many sweets + Suntop...lotsss of Suntop!  +I still luv that orange juice...I doubt it's available though =/+

The fashion back then - amazing.  Peasant style dresses, mega-sized shades, funky hair-syles....they really did care about what was 'in' lol.  Fun to see!  My mum looked great...seriously.  So beautifully dressed.  Hey, what's new?! =)

People who had passed away had their own silent story, visible in each photo.  I couldn't help but stare at their faces...wondering what was going thru their minds then.  Uncles, grandfathers, a grandma...all of whom I adored, and never thought they'd 'leave' so early in my life - and theirs.  May their souls rest in peace.

Photos that made me laugh were the ones of nude baby cousin boys!  +if only they knew lol+  When I showed them to my brother, he laughed & shook his head, adding: "Insane...these people didn't have anything better to do?!" Guess not! LOL

Oh! Before I forget, I was right about one tiny piece of memory!  I must've been 3-4 yrs old, and we had visited India.  What I recall is a boat trip and an elephant ride.  Whenever I'd ask my mum about the elephant...she'd be clueless.  Guess what?!  There was an elephant!! =)

I noticed that we were more 'together', as a whole family.  From birthday parties, weddings, desert trips etc etc...we were all present; cousins/aunts/uncles.  These days, everyone's got his own little world and he/she is occupied with just that.  Myself included.  A shame really.  All we got is family.  If we don't spend time together now, when will we?  When it's too late? +a serious and effective immediately mental note to add +& put in a 100% effort+ family to work/life/study balance+

+sigh+

The hard part...my late brother's photos.  Just to see him; so real, you know?  Yet so unreachable. 

May his soul rest in peace.

Always In My Heart

"Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart - oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape - of your sister." - Katherine Mansfield

thats what times does... keeps us busy and not give us enough "time" to meet up with family and relatives :(

May your borhter's soul rest in peace.... wa ye'3amed roo7a alyaana... it truley brought tears in my eyes...my God give you and your family the strength....

very touchy update..... much love * hugs *

Great post wallah! made me look into old family albums as well. I loved the fashion part! oh my God! makes me think what the heck we were wearing back in the days!! I wonder -10 years from now- if we are gonna say the same thing about our current looks! who knows:P

Enjoy your day lulu! and keep it up

ooh.. 7araam.. allah yir7am ur brother.. w yid5ilah allah fasee7 janateh el 3ulaa. :)

u reminded me.. before a week.. my family 9oob ommy.. we sat 2gether and opened the family album.. i saw many pictures that made me smile, laugh , cry with shalalaat of tears, and burst in excitement.. i really miss the old days when my family were reaaaaally close 2gether.. mob al7eena kilwa7id fi darbeh.. :-(

Sorry for your lost luluu, but that's life we are all taking that path sweetheart. :-(
And I am kinda curious when we as human can remember things, you said 3-4 !
hehe that's too young or maybe I am kinda slow.
Take care and keep in posting....

;)

adaydreamer: =/ sorry dear, didn't mean to upset you. Thank you for the kind words; truly appreciated.
Time...bad bad bad time!! +grrr+

Leem: We will definitely look back and laugh at what we were wearing 'then'. lol It's like they were part of a costume-dress party! >_< Have a great weekend =)

MiracleGirl: Will add you to my msn list asap! =)
Thank you for the kinds words. Tell me about the old days..+sigh+ How true about today, we no more are together. Sad =/

UAEklassic: Yes, we all are going to take the same path. =/
hehe You always got something funny to say in your 'own' way when you comment. I have to sadly inform you that you're slow!! lol Kidding =) I just have a good memory I think. I mean, I don't remember the elephant...as in 'entire' elephant; but I remember that there was a long ladder and the side of the elephant + the rug-like material they had on its back. =) *May I have my star sticker now puleez?? lol ;p*

This is one of the most touching entries I've ever read.. You have such a magical way to express yourself..

Allah yer7am your brother oo yskenh fasee7 janateh..

Kitten: You flatter me. Thank you & I truly appreciate your words.

a beautiful way to commemorate someone that will always be in your heart. you must have a beautiful soul. keep hold of the memories and grow richer from them.

on a lighter note, with regards to your memory of the elephant ride - i would love to ride an elephant. i'm hoping to go to thailand next year so that i can do so. i achieved my dreams of swimming with sting rays and skydiving this year. another dream is to swim with great white sharks. its good to have dreams that are achievable yet a challenge.

elizabeth rose: Welcome to my blog & thank you for commenting. Sweet of you to leave such beautiful comments.
With regards to elephant riding, you'll love doing so in Thailand! They'll even let you guide the elephant through the jungle. Hope that you do get to visit Thailand next year.
You have such a positive attitude towards life; may you achieve all your dreams.

My thoughts go out to you, I wrote this for my brother when he passed away, but I guess it may illustrate your feelings too.

A Poem for John

John has passed away now
And it´s ok to cry,
Although God knows the reason,
We´re still asking `why`.

He was just on loan to us,
To God he did belong,
He took John into heaven,
Reward - for faith so strong.

We know that he is happy now,
In his new home - high above,
As we relish in his memory,
His testament of love.

A son, a brother, uncle,
Sadly - he is missed.
His spirit dwells within our hearts,
Forever to exist.

But dry your eyes from sad tears,
One day we´ll see that light,
Rejoicing in our strong belief,
With John to reunite.


(c)2007 Allan Paris

Allan: It did. Thank you for sharing the poem; I was truly touched.
May their souls rest in peace.