Separated and Reunited

And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. ~ Khalil Gibran

For the artist challenge

Life Chances -
http://marimahr.com/works/life_chances/index.html

I've enjoyed learning more about this week's artist. She has some amazing photos, and most of the ones I viewed were black and white and used 3-D objects with distinct backgrounds. One of her themes was family relationships. These photographs are of my great-grandmother, on the left in both photos, and her twin sister. Their mother died when they were 18 months old, probably about the time the photo on the left was taken. My great-grandmother Ida was then raised by a foster family that moved to Kansas and her twin Ada was adopted and raised in Illinois where they were born. Luckily, they were reunited later in life, but I think the separation was what led Ida to become interested in her family history and pass this love down to her descendants. The photos are arranged in front of a quilt that Ida stitched. Ironically, I grabbed a small photo album with photos of my quilts to elevate the photo of the two later in life, and that hobby has been passed on also.

[Richard Hickey]

Awesome picture and story.

[Gwenllian]

A really interesting MM inspired photo. Love the way you have set this up. Well done.

[kali]

very poignant, lovely entry and glad you have enjoyed the challenge

[LyLeigh]

What a lovely story, Kim, and a lovely way to remember your family. If it's not too personal, for how long were your great grandmother and her twin separated? Did they always know about each other? Thanks, KIm, for this lovely story.

[Kim]

@bookthiefsfriend Thanks LyLeigh! I'm not sure how long they were separated, but for some reason I feel they were reunited after Ida married and that her husband enabled her to visit her family. Her father eventually abandoned all of his nine children except his youngest son (who died in childhood) and maternal relatives took the twins in initially for a few months. Some of those maternal relatives moved to Kansas, so the family probably stayed in touch. I have a photo of Ida with two of her other siblings taken shortly after my grandmother was born. I should have asked more questions of my aunts when I had the chance. Thanks for asking!

[Issi Bannerman]

Wonderful, just wonderful!

[Candace]

Love the vintage look!

[Kay Hodges]

Lovely shot and great capture of memorabilia

[margonaut]

I love this picture and the story behind it. But where did you find the "artist challenge"?

[Kim]

@margonaut Thanks! Here is the original link: http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/22591/artist-challenge-73-mari-mahr

[margonaut]

Thanks! Since this one ends tomorrow, does that mean that there will be another one starting soon?

[Kim]

@margonaut The host (kali for this challenge) will choose finalists and, after the voting is finished, whoever wins will host the next one. Hope that helps.

[Gena Pegg]

What a lovely story....beautifully presented!

[Lesley Chisholm]

How lovely that you have such wonderful photos to remember them by. What a lovely story with a happy ending too!

[Carole Imes]

Missed this before. Being into genealogy and anything vintage I love the way you have this displayed. What an interesting story and such beautiful comparison shots. What a treasure to have. Fav!