gratitude
This morning I feel gratitude. I can’t believe I get to do what I do. And as always I feel it is a gift from my family.
Last summer my 90 year old grandmother moved in with my mom, right next door to us. So I have the unique blessing of being able to see her daily, in the little moments…doing her crosswords, walking her laps, reading and re-reading her favorite books, balancing her checkbook (online banking is so out of the question for her), and quite often, going through her boxes of old photos.
Recently she found this letter in one of her boxes and showed it to me. It was sent to my great grandmother from my 3 x great grandfather.
There is much I love about this letter - the formal yet loving language, the inspired request to read old classics, the excellent grammar, the beautiful signature.
But there is something even more amazing about it for me: my ancestor was in the book and publishing business! Andrew Jackson Aikens was editor of the Evening Wisconsin newspaper, which, according to their beautiful letterhead, also handled book printing and binding work!
Now, I won’t take this too far and say it’s in my blood and I was destined for this all along. But I will say it feels comforting and purposeful, somehow, to discover there is family history in my chosen line of work.
And I am grateful.
. . . . .
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
What an amazing find!!
And you were totally destined for this line of work for it suits you so well and you do it will such style!
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
That really is quite the discovery! Amazing!
June 6th, 2008 at 4:09 am
Kim, I love that story and have a similar one. I’m a graphic designer. I started out in publishing– books and magazines. I have also always enjoyed photography– not so much from the technical approach but I have always thought I had a good feel for it artistically.
About 4 years ago when my dad was living with me and my family in his later years, i discovered (ONLINE!) that his great uncle was a famous photographer with a history of having created the first photographic news service in America around 1900. We had always known the accomplishments of my dad’s grandfather but somehow his brother’s story had not been carried down. To find that his collection of 50,000 prints was in the Library of Congress totally blew me away!
I know what you mean about taking it too ofar and saying “it’s in your blood” or “it’s your destiny” seems overblown, but I think there is definitely a connection there. If nothing else it gave me a new-found confidence. Oh, THAT’s why I’m the way I am!
I love your work your site your blog. Keep it up! Thanks, Martha
June 6th, 2008 at 7:02 am
MARTHA! I love that story so much. 50,000 of his prints in the Library of Congress? That’s amazing! And yes, totally inspiring to know that’s a part of you. And I also love that your Dad lived with you guys for a while. My Grandmother is living with my Mom right now and it is an amazing gift - for everyone. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story. Keep visiting!
- k.
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