In August of ’08 as the Olympic Games were closing, my nephew embarked for Beijing on the adventure of his life. He was offered a teaching position by night and an international business opportunity by day. We didn’t know how long he would be away and my thoughts turned to remembering the life of an expat when I was even younger than he.
He has to have something of home, I thought. So I combed through all our photo albums and began to assemble a suitable scrapbook for him to take and have with him. It couldn’t be large as he could only take x number of kilos. I decided on a brown scrapbook, suede in texture, measuring about 10 x 8 inches. Just the right size to place in the bottom of his suitcase.
He was the first grandchild, the first grandson of my parents, my first nephew, the first child among my siblings. I remembered how excited we were when he was born in April back in the 80′s. I found pictures of him as an infant, toddler, good times at the lake, Christmas reunions and graduation.
We gathered at my brother’s home in August of ’08 to send him off. The family enjoyed going through the pages of the scrapbook and remembering. And then as things happen in families, there was a concern as to whether he could take it as his luggage would be limited. I had thought about that, but surely I thought, if I know my nephew, he will find a place to pack it.
“I have a gift for you,” I told him. We sat down together as he turned the pages, lingering on some longer than others. The last page listed all of us and our birthdays. “I’m not sure you have a memory for all these dates, so I included them on this last page.” “You’re right Aunt ‘gette, I’m not sure I would remember all these,” he laughed.
“Perhaps I should have asked you before working on it, if you would have room for this,” I apologized.
He grinned back at me and assured me, “This is going to China.”
He returned to the States in 2010 after two years. He told me how much he and visitors to his apartment enjoyed the book on his coffee table. “You know people always reach for it when they sit down,” he told me. And in a letter he wrote, “This album was a unique item which allowed people who regarded me as a foreigner in their land to see me as something more than a just a concept. In other words, prior to them perusing the album, I was an object to them and this allowed them to quickly realize I was a person who had a history and a family.”
This August, he will be getting married in Germany. Amazingly, the love of his life and he kept up during the China years. They are high school sweethearts and they are getting married this summer. It’s his birthday this month, and I wish him through this post another amazing year.
What would you pack if you were going to the other end of the world?
Sherry, at Travel Spirit, commented below and just posted “What’s in my backpack” as she prepares to leave for Africa at the end of the month. Look what she has packed.
Your nephew is the same age as my Marshall (I saw the ’98 graduate pic). What a wonderful gift this scrapbook was, and I’m sure it was a source of comfort to him while he was so far from home.
Happy Birthday to him and best wishes to him and his fiancee. Everyone should have an auntie like you!
He sent me these pictures this past week after I told him I wanted to do this post. Gradually, the family is catching on to this blogging thing…a way to store up memories. And Happy Birthday to your special friend, too.
How special is this!
Thank you, Viola. What did you take to your end of the world? Copies of your wonderful book, perhaps?
It’s almost 7:00 AM here. Is it already tomorrow, April 16, where you are?
If I were traveling to the other end of the world, I’d pack small photos of my husband and two children — plus some sleeping pills to deal with the jet lag!
That would take up next to no room and you could fit it in your purse/flight bag!
Everyone should have a special aunt like you ; )
Lisa, thank you for reading. The fact is I had four very special aunts who treated me like their own, took me under their wing and taught me so much even when they were thousands of miles away. It gives me so much pleasure to pay it forward as the saying goes.
Georgette….I think of and remember my aunts and uncles, grand parents, (my moms side), with every family story you write, reminds me of them. The sad thing is, (I could write stories to the totally opposite of yours) like in a family of mine, I have several aunts and uncles, and last I remember, I have 23 cousins on my dad’s side, none on mums, since her sister died as a child. I remember one family of 4 of them from years past when we were children, but otherwise, I guess we are a very much dysfunctional family…..maybe because we moved to Florida in 1954, leaving all family in western Pennsylvania. Anyway, what I’m trying to get at, it is wonderful to be reminded how a “real” family lives their lives with including the whole unit of that family always…. you are very blessed to have been raised to keep that unit together and teach the newer members the history of it all……I should take your advise and write my own stories for my grandchildren, just in case they get interested someday……. Blessings to your nephew and his bride to be….. and this is a great month for a birthday…….
Oh, I didn’t answer your question… humm, I would have to have my Sally…so that would costs me big time…….(my main family/friends pics are in my wallet, so they are always with me)
“Always with you”, I like that. If you ever want to start this blogging thing as a way to tell those stories, please call, write, etc. Just a post a week adds up to a lot of story telling! Thank you for sharing. I know you feel as I do about family because you do remember, I know it through your comments and e-mails. You can lead them by doing unexpected things like remembering the memorable that makes you wonderful. You are an amazing lady and your community knows it! My thoughts go your way as storms ripped through OK, KS. I do pray they leave you alone this year. PS PH and I had lunch again on Friday and we dream about making the trip your way for a visit.
You couldn’t have given a better gift to a nephew headed anywhere, but especially to China, where family is so important. Just for fun, I reversed things in my mind and wondered: if a person came here from China with such an album and set it out on a table, how many of us would be interested enough to look through it?
When I moved to Liberia, I had the luxury of a small shipping crate both going and coming, and don’t remember a thing that I packed.
On the other hand, it’s nearly hurricane season and time for the re-packing of The Evacuation Suitcase. It’s a small suitcase my mother carried on her honeymoon. I fill it with treasures I can’t let go of and throw it in the car – it goes in the back seat, on the right side, underneath the cat carrier. The items differ slightly ever year. This year, some items are coming out and others going in – an very interesting exercise in values and memory.
Thank you for reading another memory about something I feel so deeply about and must take the time to do and share. For me, I have always quested to let folks know my family is not a band of nomads or gypsies. Nothing against gypsies…as they do have “duende”. We are as tightly bound as the miles allow, and the children must have that reinforced.
Another way my SIL won me over. He reached for those albums on our coffee table and was so cooperative when I asked him for pictures of him. His mother dug into their archives and his dad scanned their pictures on a disk. I prepared a book for them with blue pages on the left and pink pages on the right chronicling his moments growing up and placing our daughter’s opposite him. One fun discovery…there’s a Grand Canyon picture of both of them showing they visited the same year…but we’re not sure of the month.
What a good idea to have that bag packed and your cat crate ready. I can imagine the items you choose to pack change from year to year. I agree, it’s a good exercise to remind ourselves of what we outgrow and what we cherish. I was just telling my daughter yesterday, that I held back a “onesie” that her son had worn…at the time, I couldn’t let go of it. But it went into the donation bag this past week.
What a beautiful, thoughtful gift you gave him. A piece of himself, his history, his family.
When I lived abroad, the people were the things I missed most, when I couldn’t speak the language and knew no one.
Well done, Georgette! And happy birthday, and congratulations on the marriage to your nephew.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Elyse. This another story for our children, nieces and nephews. I hope they hear my voice in this blog too, although there are many miles between us. I know you get it.
I could use one of those. I have trouble remembering birthdays! What a nice gesture and a piece of home.
haha…although my nephew photographed the birthdates page, I didn’t include that page here. Wasn’t so sure everyone (the family) would be on board with that.
That was a very special gift! Very kind and sweet of you. I also have two very large scrapbooks I’ve made of my son’s life. As far as what I would pack…if you go to my site…the post I put up yesterday is “What’s in my backpack”… for my trip to Africa (the other side of the world…almost!)
haha…I should link your story to this very timely topic for you.
I’m “working” right now, so will get to it as soon as I can this evening.
Thanks Georgette!!
Great complement to the story, I think. We’ll be thinking of you…and I guess we won’t be far away if you think we’re in the blogosphere. btw I’ll be in Cinci June 10 -19 at the Westin, I think.
that is really neat – you had no idea how much this photo book would connect him to his new culture.
Theresa, you always amaze me with your comments. You always get it…and exactly, that is what I treasure most about this experience…how others reacted to him and how he appreciated his family and “history”. His letter certainly articulated this ah-ha moment we hope our children grow into. Thank you for reading.
So beautiful and what a wonderful idea for him. Me? I wouldn’t pack much. the further my destination the less I pack…leaves everything open just to experience rather than have to sort through things which make a mess of my packing. Simple..is better for me.
I agree with you, Chris. I wouldn’t want to have to worry about luggage and leaving things behind. I hate that feeling of “Well, that’s gone forever…because I know I know won’t be back at precisely this place.”
What a wonderfully thoughtful gift from his special auntie! No wonder he treasured it. So..what would I take? Definitely family pictures.
Thank you, mama. I’m so glad he grew into realizing the depth of respect people can have for family and their history.
I guess that thought would be “What would I pack if I was coming back home from my travels?”
Another quirky thought I had, perhaps unrelated but I’m thinking of it anyway…when I’m lured to want to buy something on my travels, I confine my desires to a picture of it…after I leave, I have the memory and don’t have the stuff.
Now THAT’S a great idea, Georgette!
I think you can relate. Another way my SIL won me over. He reached for those albums on our coffee table and was so cooperative when I asked him for pictures of him. His mother dug into their archives and his dad scanned their pictures on a disk. I prepared a book for them with blue pages on the left and pink pages on the right chronicling his moments growing up and placing our daughter’s opposite him. One fun discovery…there’s a Grand Canyon picture of both of them showing they visited the same year…but we’re not sure of the month.
It’s about our history.
What a special gift, Georgette. You were so thoughtful, and mindful of your nephew’s upcoming circumstances. I’d want to take my family with me.
Patti…Andy just arrived at Judith’s!. Talk about what we would send/pack to the other end of the world…and there he is! I just finished commenting at her site, when her post ping-backed to alert me!
What a special gift… and what a wonderful bonus that it helped people connect with him and see him in a more connected way…really special!
And such happy news that Andy is happily exploring the house and yard in NZ…the photos Judith posted are wonderful!
Thank you, PP. I am so relieved Andy arrived safely and looking at the pictures confirms he is happily exploring.
Georgette, what a fantastic idea. Could there possibly be a better gift? What a sweet aunt. And I loved what he discovered about having it at his home in China.
When my mom had a stroke and was hospitalized for the rest of her life (ugh!) I made a huge poster with photos of family and special stuff in her life. I pasted it on the wall in her room so that everyone would see she had a life. She was not a stroke victim. She was a mother! A Grandmother! A teacher, a TOPS winner, a reader, a friend…
I like your idea of creating the poster. No, she “was not a stroke victim.” She was all those things to people who cared very much about her. I’m so sorry about the “ugh!”, but thank goodness you were there to remind people of who she was, not to mention the care you gave her.
You had told me about this & I just loved it … of couse, YOU would think of doing something so thoughtful & special for him. I’ve learned so much from you … not to only inherit your energy!! XO
Energy? Truly I have slowed down in this chair by my computer. You will be creating scrapbooks too, my friend, so the family can reach for one of those “memory books” and enjoy all you organize and remember. If you need anything, I have lots of “tools”.
Their mothers, your daughters will be so grateful that you share your days with them.
You are so thoughtful Georgette. This was the perfect way to pack all of his family into that suitcase so that you could remain with him. I have a feeling you will be close no matter the physical distance between you.
You’re right, Renee. This was the only way I could think to be sure he would pack up so many of us. I didn’t have sons, but it’s very special to have other men in my life of all ages…my nephews and grandson and another on the way!
This is wonderful, Georgette! What a beautiful thing to create for your nephew. Gives me goosebumps. Will you be going to the wedding? What will be in your backpack? (smile)
Rick wants me to go. Mom, both brothers and sister are going. I just don’t know yet…I know, I know what an opportunity…but I’m teaching summer school and then grandbaby #2 is arriving around Sept. 1…just don’t know…it would be a 4 day weekend in Germany. Who does that?
Who does that? You do. That’s who.
oh gosh…you sound like family! (You’re uncanny like that.)
(Lenore-smile)
Still loving your family photo and the STORY behind it!
This was the most wonderful idea. I love handmade gifts, but this has an extra wallop of love and memories packed into it. Thanks for sharing such a great idea.
Scrapbooks small and large are fun! I have no problem raiding the old photo albums in which we slapped down pictures with no written story or thought to layout. Hope this does inspire you to give something a special someone will always treasure. Thank you for reading another entry for the family book.
No store could stock it, no money could buy it, for you gave the gift only love could make.
Beautiful!
Hugs
MJ
Thank you, friend. You know I was a bit concerned about the pressure I might have been putting on him…but I’m old enough to be wiser…forget pressure, this is history…your history. How proud of him I was when he grinned and said “This is going to China.” Again, thank you for understanding.
Such a touching post, Georgette. What a wonderful thing you did for that young man! I would definitely take pictures, but maybe now they would be on my iPad.
How nice to have an I-pad. I’m still using my laptop for carry on.
How nice the hotels have enough snap that they don’t charge us for internet anymore. I read your post today. I could definitely relate. Each Thursday and Sunday, I wonder what I’m going to post. It’s nice that Rick has gotten in on the act. He has saved me a few times with those smartphone pictures. Thank you for visiting.
What a thoughtful gift – giving of your time and love to provide memories for your nephew in a strange place. Best wishes to him as he starts this new journey.
Thank you, Peg. He is back from China. Will get married in Germany this summer. Who knows where they/he’ll be next? It certainly gives me comfort that he has something of family with him.
Georgette, you have got to win a prize for Auntie of the Year!
That’s amazing, that you made that heartfelt scrapbook for your nephew. What a lucky boy (man, now). And what a treasure. And I can’t believe you even included the family birthdays! I wish someone would make a list like that for me, what a great idea. I was especially touched by your nephew’s recounting of how the scrapbook humanized him on his travels. Wow. That must have made you feel great. Well done!
Thank you for reading, Melissa. My dad was great at keeping up with birthdays…really. He used to love the word processing feature of editing and saving our family changes. Yes, I was very touched with my nephew’s words…the a-ha moments, parents (grandparents, aunts and uncles) love to see come from their children.
We wish him and his furture wife all the love and happiness. What you gave him is something that he will cherish always. If I’m going to another part of the world, I too will carry with me the photos and letters of the people and places that held a special place in my heart. These items will help me remember that I will always have someone to share my journey with. Take care my friend. best wishes to your family.
Thank you, IT. He has a big year with marriage in the picture…another journey with many more pictures to take and take with him.