Wednesday, June 1, 2011

heritage...

I am blessed with a heritage of love.

I come from a strong Ukrainian and Cherokee heritage.  I am proud of the strength and family values that my parents have taught me because of their heritage.  My mom was Ukrainian and my dad is Cherokee and Scottish ( but we only ever heard about the Cherokee side, I think mostly because as kids we thought it was so cool to be part Indian... actually I still do.)

This is a photo of my grandparents (my mom's parents) on their wedding day.
I love Bushie's veil, oh how I would love to see this in color.



I have been gifted with a cd of photos of my mom's family and I thought I would show you a few of my favorites. I am sorry to say that I don't have very many photos of my dad's family and the couple that I do have I don't have a way to share with you.



This is a good example of most of the photos,
everyone laughing and you can just feel the love between them.
 The girl with the saddle shoes on is my mom along with a couple of  her sisters, I'm not sure who the man in the photo is. They are in the kitchen of my Bushie's restaurant.
I used to love going there when I was little.  I remember my Uncle Steve putting money in the jukebox and setting us kids up on the counter and getting us a soda.
He called me "owl eyes", nobody else ever did, just him and I loved it.  He passed away when I was very young but those memories are dear to me.


This is my Bushie and my Aunt Sophie
my heart skipped a beat when I saw this photo.
beautiful.


My Uncle Leo and my mom, they were very close and she talked about him with much love.
His life ended tragically and much to early as he was hit by a car on his way back to his unit after coming home for Christmas.  Mom missed him dearly for the rest of her time here.



My mom was the youngest of 11 children and I didn't get to meet a few of her older siblings.
I heard many stories growing up and when my mom and my Aunt Jane got together they were the best entertainment around as they reminisced about their family.
Oh my gosh, once they got started, I didn't want them to stop.  They would laugh until they cried.
I loved those visits so much.

I hope you like the photos, I am so grateful to have them
and am enjoying looking back on where I came from,
Like I said...

 I am blessed.



til next time,

love,
Theresa xoxo


linking up to






21 comments:

  1. I can totally see where your family has your mamas family's spirit.
    When you show pictures of your siblings and kids everyone is always laughing and having the time of their lives.
    You are one very lucky woman to have been given so much family spirit.
    And it is so great that you have taught this to your children to pass on to theirs one day.
    Amy

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  2. Thank you for visiting me! I, too, am a lover of old family photos and I love to share them on my blog. These photos are fabulous!! It is a blessing to have these pieces of our lives!

    Margo @ http://piecesoflifeetal.blogspot.com

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  3. What a neat post. I love old family photos and I love discovering things about my heritage. You are blessed...Amy Kinser

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  4. Absolutely Beautiful Photos, What time period is the Wedding Photo? I am just getting around to lots of W.W. Post, Love Yours, Your flowers are beautiful, along with the Very Creative Jewels, still need your help in soldering. I am actually working on some head band flowers for My newest (8 months) Great Niece Haddyn, My Niece Jen loves when she wears the big flowers, since she is still a cue ball!
    btw, make sure you stop by & enter, having a fun give-away that ends Sunday....
    Have a Beautiful week
    Cheryl

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  5. Beautiful pics! My mother was Crowe. There are a few pics somewhere of my grandfather in his headdress. I need to get copies of them. I have the old pics that my mom had. I love going through them and reliving the memories.

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  6. Great photos, Theresa! I love the spirit that shines through. You are very fortunate to have these remembrances - but I know you know that! Smiles & Hugs, Robin

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  7. Such wonderful photos and memories Theresa. How fortunate you are to have these. Not many people have pictures or the stories to go along with them. I can't even imagine being 1 of 11. Amazing! Best wishes to you for a wonderful day. Tammy

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  8. I love old photos because they tell such a history of where we've been. Yours are wonderful. Thank you for sharing them with us. Blessings, Pamela

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  9. What a sweet post, Theresa. These family photos are so precious...each telling a story and how thrilling that you can add some of your own memories to them. Very sad to read the story of your mother's brother...but what a special photo of the two of them. I'm one of six in our family and when we had to move our parents out of their home, I worked long hours into the night scanning in all the family photos to my computer. Since all of us live scattered across the country I didn't want to risk not having a copy someday of these priceless photos. I'm always amazed that so many family pictures end up in the marketplace. Xo, Sue

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  10. Oh, that was fun! I love looking at the clothes and shoes! I wonder why they they didn't smile way back with the first photo's, or what made us think we should start smiling? Thank you for sharing!

    Carol

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  11. No wonder yo are so pretty. You come from a long line of beautiful women Theresa! I LOVED these pictures!!!

    Thank you for sending such a dear messsage. It meant so much.
    sending hugs..

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  12. Beautiful family photos and memories! Love the wedding photo! Such beauty in the veil. Also love the laughter you share in your family then and now. XO Love, Fran.

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  13. Oh Theresa,
    What beautiful pictures--and an amazing post...I am so sorry to hear about your uncle...that is so sad...I am certain it had to be the biggest shock. You have a beautiful family...and this was so touching. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

    If you get a chance, I just posted on my Whimsical Musings Magazine and you're welcome to come see it and make an announcement if you'd like!
    XO
    Cindy

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  14. You have a beautiful family and a wonderful collection of photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.
    Have a great weekend~
    ~ Julie

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  15. Such wonderful photos, Theresa. The one with your mom and sisters?, then the wedding photo, what a gorgeous young couple. How fortunate you are to have those photos. so glad you linked up this wonderful post. xoxo Debra

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  16. What wonderful old photos, Theresa! You ARE blessed! Thanks so much for your SO nice comments on my Bachman's house post...just put part three on! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  17. Oh Theresa,

    What treasures you have there! Bushie sure was a beauty, wasn't she?

    Hugs,
    Judy

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  18. There is a magic in old photos, isn't there? (That veil is amazing, btw)Your family just shines from those!
    Have one of my mom up today too, must be something in the summer air. Found you through Vintage Inspiration Friday and so glad I did, you newest follower. Love you to drop by DearHelenHartman.com sometime (having a rule free link up all weekend)

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  19. What a lovely post. I adore your pics and the wedding pic is just priceless!

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  20. Hi Theresa: The old photos are wonderful and such a treasure. I think it makes our history come to life when we have images of our family's and holds time still just for a bit. i too am so very fortunate to have all the pics my mom saved, there are letters from the 1800's and i can match names from the letters to some of the pictures. My mom (in the 60's) would tape record Christmas and Thanksgiving meals with all the family members there, so i have their voices to listen to anytime i want. it's like having my mom, dad, brothers aunts and uncles right in my room next to me... A real blessing. thank you for sharing your photos, i know how special they are. sid...at howmyartbeats.blogspot.com

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Thank you so much for visiting me here at The Old White House, your comments make my day! ~ Theresa xoxo