Welcome to Day 4 of my Show Me...Project. Today, for some of us might get personal. This is where the story behind the object can really make the photograph take on new meaning. That's certainly true in my case.
Below you see an audio cassette. More specifically, an audio cassette from an old telephone answering machine. I've kept this in my nightstand drawer for 19 years now. From home to home, nightstand to nightstand, it's been there. I have not listened to it in at least 15 years I'd say. Contained on this tape are what were most likely my father's last words. I can't bring myself to listen to it again. But I can't, nor do I want to, get rid of it. It's a short message, and I remember it as clearly today as when it was received on June 2, 1989. The only temptation to listen to it is to hear his voice again. I wish I had other recordings besides this. What visually appears to be a dull and obsolete object is my chosen object of sentiment. I long for the day I'll hear his voice again.
Follow the label "My Father" below to read more about and see pictures of him.
Below you see an audio cassette. More specifically, an audio cassette from an old telephone answering machine. I've kept this in my nightstand drawer for 19 years now. From home to home, nightstand to nightstand, it's been there. I have not listened to it in at least 15 years I'd say. Contained on this tape are what were most likely my father's last words. I can't bring myself to listen to it again. But I can't, nor do I want to, get rid of it. It's a short message, and I remember it as clearly today as when it was received on June 2, 1989. The only temptation to listen to it is to hear his voice again. I wish I had other recordings besides this. What visually appears to be a dull and obsolete object is my chosen object of sentiment. I long for the day I'll hear his voice again.
Follow the label "My Father" below to read more about and see pictures of him.
The accompanying song today is Finally Home by MercyMe. It goes perfectly with this post I think.
Come back tomorrow to Show me...your favorite view from anywhere in your home! For all the details for tomorrow and the rest of the week, click here.
16 comments:
It took forever for me to change the message on my parents' answering service... hearing my mothers voice made it feel like I truly had called home.
*hugs*
I think this is going to be a box-of-tissues day. But in a good way.
Thank you so much for sharing such a private memory with us. We all wish we had more time with our loved ones.
I'm going to go hug my daughter now.
That is a sentimental object indeed.
What a cherished item. I'm sure many people wish they had something that contained a voice recording or a video clip of a loved one lost. Thank you for sharing something so personal with us.
Karen of the MomDot Street Team
www.MomDot.com
Recordings, photos, videos...so nice to have.
This was a very beautiful post. Thank you for sharing such a nice memory with us.
I have a similar tape, but have never been able to listen to it. I also still have a quilt (that I photographed for today, then decided not to post) that I still cuddle with because it still has lingering smells of my dad's apartment.
Memories are precious, thanks for giving us a chance to share them today!!
Great........you have all made me cry. :( I will post mine later this morning....I can't wait to hear all your beautiful stories..
Robert.. thank you for sharing yours. :)
My goodness. If only I had a recording of my dad's voice....
Thank you, Robert. :)
P.S. Oh, and while I am not participating (sadly, so! I feel I am missing out!), I would have taken a picture of my dad's bible. The one he used every morning since becoming a child of God. :)
It probably still is too early ! Maybe the day you have a grandchild you want him or her to listen to great grandpa's voice. With the time these fears to see or hear something and be hurt go away !
Robert… what a special thing. I have to ask… do you still have a means of playing it should you decide to? I still have a few of my very first apes… but sadly my cassett players have all managed to break and not get replaced.
What a very nice bit of family history.
Mine is up but Mr. Linky doesn’t seem to like me this morning.
Robert,
I hope like Kay that you do have a way to play should you want to.
I find myself leaving a message or two from my kids on my answering machine so I can listen once in a while.
Such an endearing post.
Hugs my friend.
Makes me appreciate my parents all the more. And they both live here, so I see them often. Thank you for sharing this. What a very precious memory.
Mine's a little more "awww" than tear rendering.
How amazing that we live in an age when we can have such small treasures to hold onto. You lost your father way too young. I'm sorry for that, but it seems like you had a wonderful relationship with him and that is a precious gift that you will have forever. Beautiful post.
A very moving post Robert. It's strange how we can look at a photograph of a family member who has passed away with no, or very little concern, and yet hearing a voice, perhaps seems unnatural. So, not just a moving post but quite a brave one too.
What a cherished posession, a tangible link to your father. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Robert, I am late, but not for California right? What a touching post you wrote... makes me want to spend every minute with my parents...
That's lovely... the story AND the photo. :)
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