It's about time

Time waits for no man, woman, or child

I meant to get the table done in time for Thanksgiving, but I ran out of -- wait for it, because it won't wait for you any more than it did for me -- time.

(That's a four-letter word if ever there was one.)

Brittany provided so many cute pictures of Ember

(Speaking of four, that's how many years it had been since I updated what I call the Time Table).

But I got it done in December, on one of the days that Michael, our retired contractor friend, was working away upstairs on the guest bath.

The picture of Andrew in uniform was taken at my mother's funeral

(Which remodel I shall reveal to you later this week.)

In case you are not already aware, the subject table occupies an alcove at one end of our kitchen.

There is a picture of Mom with her baby brother, the last time he saw her

If you'd like to know the provenance of what I refer to as our Time Table and learn more about its various iterations over the last dozen or so years, you're welcome to read about it here and here.

To summarize, the first time I decided to make a collage of family photos on the table, I printed out the pictures on my printer, in black and white, but on softly colored paper.

Any good pictures of the pirate went under the glass, haaha

At that time, the table sat in our front room dining area, and we did not use it for dining. It was serving as more of a desk and all-purpose surface -- which does not mean it was covered with stuff. It wasn't.

But it saw lots of action.

There's one of Dagny sitting in a tree in Ridge Spring, South Carolina

I printed those first pictures out big -- the size of the paper. There were maybe fifty of them beneath the glass.

The original idea then morphed into the collage of four-by-six black-and-white prints that I use now.

One of the last pictures of my mom, still with a big smile on her face

By then, the glass-topped trestle table had been moved into the kitchen eating alcove, and Erica had painted the wood that shows, matte black. 

I think that was around 2013.

Newborn Baby Rhett's picture is right in the middle of this one

As I update the table, the pictures from past versions are placed in albums.

This latest table contains more pictures than ever before -- approximately one hundred seventy-five.

Pets past and present are pictured

With a few exceptions, the photos are exclusively of events that occurred in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The exceptions are photos of TG's and my parents and grandparents, which are positioned in the center of every version of the table.

Here's Wednesday the Tuxedo Cat

Building out on each side of those vintage photos (they are copies; the originals are safe from fading) are pictures of TG and me on our wedding day and of our children on their wedding days.

This time, I added the wedding photos of Andrew and Brittany, and of Chad and Erica, both from 2018.

Birthdays and vacations and all manner of special moments are memorialized

Their children Ember and Rhett were born in 2019 and 2021 respectively, and I was eager to add them.

Ninety-five percent of the photos under the glass were taken by me. Brittany and Stephanie have contributed pictures of their children, because without those, I wouldn't have enough of the grands who live in other states.

TG in the stocks in Salem, Massachusetts, 2019

When it's time to do a new table, I see it as a big project, which can seem overwhelming at first contemplation, but which turns out to be more satisfying than burdensome.

I begin by going back in my photos and selecting the pictures. This time I chose two hundred.

Pets and kids get lots of love and it's right there on the table

Then I have to edit each one, to resize them if necessary, and make them black and white. They are then stored in a folder on my desktop until I'm certain I have everything I need.

At that point I order the prints, getting the best price possible. This time that was nine cents per print, the lowest offered online -- I'm pretty sure it was Walmart.

We look at the table and remember God's faithfulness in good times and bad

The upload process was easy as pie, and I got my pictures promptly, and there were no mistakes.

On the day I designated to do the work, TG and I moved the glass off of the table -- always a tense moment -- and placed it on a large rubber mat TG had put on the floor beside the table, and leaned it against the wall.

The only color picture is of Melanie on her fifteenth birthday two years ago

I removed all of the photos -- yes, they're taped down -- and set them aside for later, when I'd put them in their album.

A new black tablecloth was placed just so, and I spread out all of my new pictures. 

The pictures are all family except for one friend, plus our pastor

It took until late afternoon, and there were too many pictures to fit so I had to make a few dozen cuts, but the result was a table more packed with pictures than ever before.

In an unprecedented move, this time the table includes one color picture -- of Melanie, on her fifteenth birthday. She's now seventeen. Stephanie had given me a few photos of that day and they were so sweet of our special girl, with her brightly colored butterfly balloon, that I decided to break with tradition.

Pictures of Andrew and Brittany's wedding were added this time

In another departure from the norm -- in the past it was strictly members only -- there are two pictures of Andrea, a dear family friend who sits with us in church. 

Over the past few years, she has been invited to a number of our family gatherings. Someday maybe I will tell you her story.

Chad and Erica's nuptials are featured as well

There is also a picture of our pastor, with Dagny.

The kids and grandkids love the table. In fact, everyone who sees it seems drawn to it and intrigued by it.

Joel and Stephanie are pictured on their wedding day, as are TG and me

I read once that children are greatly benefited by seeing pictures of themselves in the home. It solidifies their sense of belonging and of being loved, and of their importance in the scheme of things.

That goes for children of all ages. Even adult children.

Pictures on the table include memorable times and places

Audrey first saw the new table a few days after it was completed. TG and I were out of town and she'd come by to take care of my cat. I hadn't told anyone that the table had been redone.

I knew they would all notice immediately because they never fail to look at the pictures on that table, no matter how many times they've seen them. I think they all have favorite shots; I know that I do.

Pictures of TG's and my parents and grandparents have been on every version of the table

Audrey told me later that it was a good thing she was alone when she noticed the new pictures, because she got emotional.

As the others began coming by because the Christmas season was getting underway, they examined the updated table with great interest. I had to remove everything so that they could see it all. There was a lot of laughter and a few tears.

Pictures from tables past go into albums for future reference

There are the new baby pictures, and photos of our other babies growing up, and of everyone growing older. Pictures of my mother, who went to heaven in late 2020, at the end of her life.

I wish you could see the faces of my beloveds when they see their faces on the table, and the faces of their children and those they love most in the world, and those they have loved who are gone.

The table waits until we gather again

They point and laugh and say Look! to one another, and gab about when and where the pictures were taken.

They marvel at the way they have changed, and they ways in which their children have grown, and the aggregate of experiences that make up a life -- all of our lives, progressing swiftly, on a timeline.

Assembled together, the pictures pack a punch.

This table, as were all the tables before it, is potent with the power of memories and of love, and of the passage of -- wait for it, because it will most certainly not wait for you -- time.

Let's make the most of what's left.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Monday

Comments

[Mari-Nanci]

I don't think words can express, what a lovely, lovely part of your home, this table is.

A Labor of Love, for sure.

In these glimpses, even we, can look and recognize...

Can hardly imagine how wonderful it is, for your family.

Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci

[Jennifer]

@Mari-Nanci ... Thank you my friend. It certainly is assurance of our unbreakable bond. Pictures speak thousands of words! xoxo

[Bijoux]

What a Treasure Table you’ve created and compiled. I would instantly make a beeline over to it! I love that you include parents/grandparents. Yes, it’s important to display photos of loved ones. I change up all our photos with each holiday and season. Right now, it’s Valentine’s themed. My adult kids definitely appreciate seeing their photos when they come over and I always point out my daughter’s childhood photos to her own kids and talk about how their mommy was my little girl.

I know the looks on your family’s faces is worth all the time and effort. Thanks for sharing a piece of your special world.

[Jennifer]

@Bijoux ... I am always remarking to my kids that I'd give ANYTHING to have the kinds of photos of my children, that they have of theirs -- both because of the hundreds I've taken with my Nikons, and the beautiful pictures we can all take now with our phones. And the videos! I have NOTHING like that of my children. Nothing. What they have is truly amazing and we all love looking back on them. It's so life-affirming. I like the idea of changing out photos with the seasons! xoxo

[Mari]

That table is such a work of love! I can see why everyone looks at it every time they come over. I enjoyed looking at each shot of it you shared and picked out a favorite from every grouping. I think that would change every time I saw it though. The wedding photos are special, the babies are special. I loved seeing your mom, and I think I saw Henry with Dagny.
I agree that it's important for the kids to see their importance in seeing those pics. We have a digital frame that is filled with photos and the girls often stop what they are doing to watch the photos.
And next - I've been waiting somewhat impatiently - can't wait to see that bathroom!

[Carla TePaske]

LOVE IT!!! I love this idea and each party post you share, I always see the photo table and it makes me smile.
I also love how you write Jenny, well done.

[Ginny Hartzler]

I did go back and look at your other links about the table. Wow, this is the best idea! It is all at once a conversation piece, a tribute to family & friends, an item that keeps memory and time alive! And you are so good at it! I LOVE it!! Now I am wondering where I could make one.

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... haaha I am a little insecure about the bathroom because I have yet to change out the white two-inch blinds that are at the window, and I wish it were one hundred percent done but it really won't be until I can get what I want there, which is a plantation shutter. Oh well, I'll put that aside and before the week is out, you shall see the bath remodel! And yes, the picture table is always a big hit and because there are so many pictures, it seems that no matter how many times you look at it, you see something new. It's like it's alive. Those changing photo frames are fantastic! I have always wanted one and I can see how it would hold great appeal for the girlies. xoxo

@Carla ... Thank you my friend, you are so kind. I am glad our table makes you smile! It makes all of us smile too, haaha xoxo

@Ginny ... Oh I'm so glad you read about the table's beginnings! What you can do is, start small! I've done a table like this with one of the round side tables that you can get at Walmart, the ones that the three legs screw on and a cloth that goes to the floor, with the round glass that fits on top. Maybe you already have one. You can have a collage made in no time! And if you don't like it, you can change it! I have considered doing this on different surfaces and decoupaging it, too. xoxo

[betty]

Oh wow, Jenny! So beautiful and like someone else said, truly a labor of love! So many memories there. So much life and love and family! I truly think this is the first time I saw someone who had made a family table like this. I'm awed!! So very nicely done! Truly a family heirloom! If visiting, I'm sure I'd be drawn to it too and would want to hear all the stories and get to know everyone featured there!!

betty

[Jeanette]

Wow Jenny! That is an awesome table and looks like you put a lot of work and love into it! My sister in law has something like that in her family room. She changes it and decorates it for every holiday. I can just imagine your family gathered around that table laughing and loving everything about it!

[Lori]

I always notice this beautiful table in your posts and it is just fabulous!! I'm sure your family just loves it. My Mom was never the kind to have photos displayed and I think that is what made me want my home filled with photos which it is. It's comforting to see photos of my loved ones and friends throughout our home.
I was immediately drawn to the photo of Wednesday the tuxedo cat. What a sweet picture.
I can't wait to see your new bathroom.
Have a wonderful week my friend.

[Jennifer]

@betty ... I would love to walk you around the table and point out my loves and I know you'd be kind enough to show genuine interest! I like seeing what a treat it is for the kids when, even during meals, they look at pictures! Haahaa xoxo

@Jeanette ... there is nothing quite like pictures to inspire laughter and memories! xoxo

@Lori ... Awww our Wednesday ... she is actually my daughter Audrey's cat, and she is beloved of both Audrey and Dagny, but unfortunately they have found that Dagny is horribly allergic to the cat. I don't know what is going to happen. I would take her if I did not already have my Sweetness, sitting on me right now, trying to keep me from typing, haaha! I'm so glad you display lots of pictures because they never fail to delight and inspire. My mother was the same way; she must have taken tens of thousands of pictures during her lifetime, and she put them all in albums which we still enjoy looking at. I hope you'll like what we did with the guest bath, haha! xoxo

[Donna]

I’m in love with your table of life and memories…I have our photos in books and boxes already designated to each corresponding subject. The older I get the more I feel the need to get “organized”. Time is no longer a luxury for Larry and myself.
Love you sweet friend.
Hughugs
Donna

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... I know you'll get to it! Just stop baking all those delectable treats, haaaha! xoxo

[Barb]

I've always enjoyed your photo table of memories. The time, the patience, and the creativity that went into it speak of enduring love of family. All those celebrations and important moments displayed and remembered. My eyes pricked with tears at seeing your dear mother - what a smile she had! I've made books for all the grandchildren from the time they were infants, using photos and words to tell the stories of their lives. I did this when my own children graduated from high school, too, and each still has their own personal album of memories. Your photo table is a focal point in your home. Hugs to you.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... Yes, Mom had a radiant smile. I miss seeing it and I miss hearing her voice, although I hear it in my head. She was something else. I certainly do enjoy putting the table together and it's such a treat for me when the kids see it and look at it together, and point to pictures and laugh and remember! There is no substitute for sweet memories. Those books you've made for your children and grandchildren are what I like to call instant heirlooms. They will be cherished by your loved ones long after you are gone! Love to you and Bob. xoxo