In the bygone era when color photography was yet to gain prominence, black-and-white images of our forebears and elders, many of whom had departed before our time, adorned the walls of our living room, encased behind clouded glass. Through anecdotes recounted by our parents and the frequent mention of their names in family conversations, these departed souls seemed to linger in our midst. Photographs of varying dimensions, elegantly framed in wood, adorned each wall with a distinct character.
Each year, as Christmas festivities approached and the walls underwent a fresh coat of whitewash, we would carefully remove the photographs, gently dislodging any silverfish that had made their homes within the frames. As we diligently cleaned the glass and frames, it was an opportunity to scrutinize the images more closely, rekindling cherished memories. Post-whitewash, some photographs would find new homes on different walls, creating a novel arrangement and rejuvenating the ambiance of the living room.
Certain portraits appeared to lean forward from the wall, suspended by nails and resting against their wooden frames, giving the impression that the individuals depicted were intently observing the goings-on around them. Others remained perfectly still, their subjects frozen in time. The spaces behind the portraits served as repositories for old letters and wedding invitations, remnants of bygone days.
Visitors to our home would often spend extended periods poring over the photographs, reminiscing about the good old days and recalling the events captured in the images. Amidst the black-and-white depictions of our ancestors, an antique clock occupied a prominent position, its pendulum swinging rhythmically with a gentle tick-tock that seemed to reverberate through the tranquil atmosphere of the room.
Time’s unceasing march was subtly conveyed by the clock, a constant companion amidst the monochrome images of our elders. Every hour, its chimes would resonate, breaking the silence and marking the passage of another hour. Far from being a nuisance, the clock’s chimes became a comforting presence, a reminder that while life continued its relentless forward motion, the memories of our ancestors and the moments we shared with them would forever remain etched in our hearts, immortalized in those evocative black-and-white photographs that adorned our walls.
Today, those living walls may have given way to digital frames and online galleries, but the memories evoked by those sepia-toned images continue to reside within our hearts. They serve as portals to our past, reminding us of our origins and the individuals who shaped us into the people we are today.
