Babicka a Deda, or grandmother and grandfather in English. This photo of my mother's parents would have been taken sometime in the late 20s. I myself had never seen this until I was in my 40s and it was a shock to me to see my grandparents in a whole new way. They were young once? Romantic? The whole world in front of them?

I guess we don't see the whole picture, the whole person when our memories from childhood frame them forever, and only the way we see them at the end of their lives. That is why this site is something of so much value. It gives a glimpse into the past in a way that imagination by itself does not.

They lived full lives, with many ups and downs. I remember my Grandmother as stern but kind underneath and my Grandfather as someone who loved philosophical discussions and to play chess.

Each time now, when I look at these old photographs of my family's past, I wonder how much there must be that I didn't and don't know of my heritage because, as so often happens, I was not interested enough when they were still alive and when there was plenty of time. View full size.