Old Pictures; Beyond Forgetting

        By Vic Odarve

Old photographs capture priceless moments, recall details, and remind us of the footprints of our forefathers. Old photos are a living witness to the happiest or saddest moments in our lives; they allow us to recall all the details later in life and rewind how life was spent during those times.

Ancestral house -Mayana

Yes, in my ancestral home, old, framed pictures hanging on the wall remind me of where I spent my childhood days, my great-grandparents’ heydays, and some of the most memorable parts of my life. In one of the photos, I was once a platoon leader of a boys’ scout group getting ready for a jamboree competition in a nearby village. In a scout drill formation, we were dressed completely in uniform and wore caps on our heads. Even in black-and-white, it was clear that we were students at Mayana Primary School. Scouting has been a part of my life for longer than I can remember. My parents told me that I always loved scouting during my primary education. And this old picture confirms it!

As I continued to scan the photos, old memories from the distant past began to flash back and forth in my mind. The traces of memories that appear to disintegrate over time seem real and fresh. Looking back to my childhood days, with the days spent together with our great grandparents and country people, these memories are beyond forgetting!

Boys Scout 1967

It is indeed enjoyable to see these old pictures. It stirs our memories and recalls the days of our youth. I would like to rewind to the good old days when we played basketball games during fiesta celebrations. Now, the village of Mayana is one of my favorite getaway destinations. Going back to the old trail of the San Miguel Academy, I can feel like walking through mist and clouds along the mountain ranges, meeting all the fairies and magical creatures, and watching the birds doing orchestra along with the canopies. Whenever I remember my good old childhood days, it is sort of a feeling that cannot be captured on camera and is more than the old pictures hanging on the wall.

There really is no place like home. Old pictures remind me of the places and events where I come from; the land of my birth; and with all its diversity, the good and the bad, I would like to go there first over anywhere else in the world. It is just proper to share our good old days and momentous moments with our sons and grandsons to show how we lived our lives before.

College Days- U of Bohol

The Bible puts it this way:

"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen, and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons." Deuteronomy 4:9

For those of us who are still alive, old photographs serve as a reminder and a trigger for our memories. It is beyond forgetting!

THANKS FOR WATCHING.