WORDS FROM THE PAST...

This is an autograph book that belonged to my grandfather.

  It is full of fond remembrances from his high school friends from 1898.

My grandfather, John William Allred,

 aka Bill or Willie

That, in itself, is very special to me. 

 But beyond the obvious, there is a significance that sets my mind to wondering.

  What kind of human beings were these people? 

 Do the words that they write tell me anything about them?

With this comes a reminder of a history lesson.

One thing that stands out is their handwriting. 

 All the words written, no matter how many the individuals, are almost identical. 

 The sentiments may vary slightly

 but the form is precise

 and appears that each one was written with a magical pen 

that allows all final copies to turn out exactly the same. 

 Nothing like the scattered scratchings of some of the letters

 I've seen from my generation and beyond.

  The names, too, seem to have a different sense about them.

  Today, you might know an Oliver 

that wears his cap turned backwards 

and his pants at half-mast,

 and think nothing about that, 

but see a boy from another era,

 with the same name and he sounds, and looks, mysterious.

Post cards from long ago

 are also something that makes me wonder 

about the ones who sent them.

Post cards from way back 

usually portrayed a colorful and poignant scene on the front,

 and while that is what first catches the eye,

 don't lose track of what is written on the other side,

 as that is what tells the real story.

  Here again, the writing looks similar 

  but the messages are what holds the wonder.

  They are all short and to the point

 due to the space on the cards

 but what is the underlying

 meanings of the words?

Was this a night on the town

 ending in unexpected circumstances...

...or this, 

a marriage proposal gone bad?

Evidently, the crops in South Dakota 

in 1903 were good...

...but it was a bad year for crops

 in North Dakota in 1913.

A Christmas post card from way back

 still conveyed the similar season's greetings that are seen today 

but some of the hand written messages 

are just a bit more embellished...

...or, on the other hand,

 said as little as possible...

 Maybe, in case you haven't heard from your sister in a long time,

 you might have to sign your last name

 as well

 in case she can't 

remember who you are...

...and even though 

you are under the weather

 you can still find beauty in the world.

These are all so much fun to collect

 and while they are all unique

 in their own way,

 when it comes right down to it,

 they are not so different from today's letters or e-mails. 

 There is an underlying message

 from then to now 

that we all wish our friends and families

 the best that life has to offer, 

sent with love

 to one and all.

...Judy...

Sharing today with:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Roses of Inspiration at The Enchanting Rose