Monday, February 7, 2011

Family Likeness

Family likeness has often a deep sadness in it. Nature, that great tragic dramatist, knits us together by bone and muscle, and divides us by the subtler web of our brains; blends yearning and repulsion; and ties us by our heartstrings to the beings that jar us at every movement.

George Eliot, from Adam Bede

Sophie and Henry, 2009

Grandma Josephine

My father and I, 1964


Sophie and her father, 2002

Sophie and me, 1998

Me, 1967


Henry, 2010

Grandma Josephine, me, Grandpa Michele, 1965

My mother and father, 2011

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31 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    I see strength in these faces ....

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  2. Carrie Wilson LinkFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Boy, you're not kidding, and what BEAUTIFUL likeness there is! Love that quote, you find the best quotes!

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  3. ClaireFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    These are all beautiful photographs, but I am particularly astounded by Grandma Josephine in relation to Sophie. Wow...those eyes.

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  4. Ms. MoonFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    More tears. This brought more tears to me. Yeah. Too much beauty. How do we bear it?

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  5. Lovely WorldFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Thanks for sharing these personal photos. I sometimes look back into my boxes of family photos and find all sorts of connections. Even though my father was adopted, I still see expressions, memories, and love that remind me that we are forever bound as a family.

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  6. rebeccaFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    thank you for igniting my heart this morning.
    you have a way...

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  7. EllenFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    That quote spoke to me...and the photos did as well.

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  8. LeslieFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    FASCINATING. And I adore that photo of your mom and dad : )

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  9. emmaFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    The photos are fantastic, the family resemblance so striking, really wonderful.

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  10. GbergerFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Your family is GORGEOUS. Um, hope this isn't weird for you to hear, but your dad is REALLY handsome (you've probably heard this before). I can see both you and your husband - and your forebears (what a fun word)- in your children. Isn't it wonderfully complex, this human BEing?

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  11. TheresaFebruary 7, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    I just love these.

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  12. MoiraFebruary 7, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Exquisite -- the words and the photos really moved me.

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  13. BLOOM - Parenting Kids With DisabilitiesFebruary 7, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Those were strikingly beautiful.

    My mom used to make me dresses like the one you wore in 1967, with matching kerchiefs just like the one you wore! I think we are both born in 1964 -- or thereabouts?

    Thank you for sharing these.

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  14. Laura Paine CarrFebruary 7, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Certainly a clan of beautiful people, and it is sad in a way, to see the resemblences passed on down the lines. I guess this is a way for us to see our eternality. Photos of my ancesters show the black eyes (beyond brown!), some stupendous noses, and sturdy bodies. It facinates me to see how eyes hold so much information, even in a photo.

    I just spent some time with your blog. Beautiful and provocative and wonderful, as usual. Oh, and I love love love your profile pic. Obviously your beautiful children came through you!!! xoxo

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    That quote is so amazingly true and man do you guys ever look alike.

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  16. LeahFebruary 7, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    as Leslie said - the concluding photo is ADORABLE.

    And the bonds and threads of different types through all the photos - yes.

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  17. AFebruary 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Beautiful string of photographs. Glowing.

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  18. A.SmithFebruary 7, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    The apple never falls far from the tree, particularly when it comes to beauty.

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  19. BethFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    What everyone said; these are marvelous images for me to sleep on. And now, I feel like I know your Dad even better. Lucky daughter. Lucky Dad.

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  20. Super AnonymousFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Not only can you see your family's resemblance through these photos, it's almost as though you can see Life passed as a baton through each of the generations. It's as though that force is strung through all of you, flowing. I'm not sure what it is about this particular compilation of photos, but something strikes me about them.

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  21. Tanya SavkoFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Thank you for sharing these gorgeous photos!

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  22. UnknownFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:08 AM

    Stunning. Absolutely powerfully life force achingly stunning.

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  23. From the KitchenFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    Wonderful! I have a habit of looking for likeness in families and don't think I've ever seen stronger resemblances. Very nice blending with your husband as well. I think I would have recognized the photo of you in the tree without knowing it to be you.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  24. Julia O'CFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I feel you just shared something deeply personal with me. Those pictures are so beautiful and powerful. Thank you.

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  25. Alicia DFebruary 8, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    i dont know why, but these photos have made me tear up and swell with emotion. the photos themselves are remarkable. The first one of your son and daughter just did me in!! you as a baby with your dad--- priceless. you as a girl in that tree?!?! omg, you are ADORABLE. Sophie is beautiful in every shot. Your family is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing these images.

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  26. cheatymoonFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    So beautiful. You are reminding me that I want to scan some old family photos to share w/ extended family on facebook.

    Other half is adopted and family resemblances in my family just blow him away.

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  27. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Just beautiful! what a treasuer to see all those faces, full of life and love.

    and yes...what strong family resemblance!!!

    x..x

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  28. SECRET PEPPER PERSON:February 9, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Adore this entire post

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  29. 37paddingtonFebruary 9, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    such a beautiful family. and you, gorgeous.

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  30. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    This is a lovely series of family photos. I like the ones of you as a little girl.

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  31. Denise Emanuel ClemenFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    A beautiful post. I love family resemblances.

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