Windows to the Past

The musky smell filled the two bedroomed New York appartment which Kirsten Coleman liked to call home. Across the floral rug at the foot of the bed were strewn old black and white photos, some of which looked very tattered, worn and yellow due to time spent locked in the top right hand corner of the old pine wardrobe.

The photos had been rediscovered by chance when Kirsten had misplaced her favourite black dress. As she pulled apart her wardrobe she came across the photos and took them down to take a look, a whole three shoeboxes full of them.

In the middle of the photos sat Kirsten, a forty five year old social worker. She lived with a friand, Julie, who was also divorced. Both of them had kids, but were grown up and were out living their own lives.

As Kirsten sat and gazed at the photos lovingly they brought memories flooding back of her childhood and her family in the little village of Castletown back home in Ireland.

Amongst the photos were pictures of old pets. An old shabby sheepdog called L;ucky who helped her father on the farm and the adorable Chino, the family cat, who teased the dog constantly but who the family kept because Kirsten's grandmother was so attached to the little furball. There were also photos of Kirsten and her brothers and sisters playing in the chicken coop.

Kirsten shed a tear as she came across the picture of her at six months old in her mother's arms. Fashion was so different back then. Kirsten's mother wore a polka dot dress with frills on the cuffs and her hair was pilled back and pinned into a bun.

She also came across a picture of her father and her younger brother Ryan. Kirsten's father was carrying Ryan on his shoulders as he was the baby , while the rest of the children waddled behind like a row of baby ducklings.

In another photo Kirsten was playing a game of chess with her grandfather along by the river, a game which she realised she hadn't played since he passed away in that sad, unforgettable summer of 1973.

Among these photos was one of Kirsten's mother and father's wedding, to which all the Coleman's and Fitzpatrick's attended. There was Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Rose, Uncle Eric and Mick and Aunt Margaret but to name a few.

Kirsten had lost contact with her family when she moved to New York seven years beforehand. How she longed to hear her mother's familiar voice.

She made a dash for the phone and picked up the receiver but slammed it down twice as quick. What would she say? What would her reason be for not getting in contact until now? What if their number had been changed?

A couple of hours later she finally pucked up the courage to dial the number! She remembered it as though she used it frequently.

She waited nervously as the phone rang. It rang and rang. She was about to give up hope when a frail voice spoke on the other end "Hello? Hello?! Is anybody there? Hello?" It took Kirsten a few seconds to respond, she was overcome with emotion and burst into tears. "Mam, its me!" "Kiki?"

Kirsten and her mother chatted for hours on end about family matters and happenings back home. The family dog had passed away. Uncle Jimmy had gotten married and was now living in Galway. Ryan was happily married and had a baby girl, called Belle.

Kirsten arranged a visit home and decided to drag along Julie to introduce to her family and friends.

What happened her daughter I hear you ask. Well, I'm fine and well. I'm in Ireland at the moment taking care of my grandmother and grandfather. Mam gave me the photos to hang in my grandmother's house. I got them framed and hang with pride on the walls. I added my own to the collection.

Now when anyone wants a trip down memory laneall they have to do is gaze upon the walls and the memories come flooding back, of youth, fun times and family members gone but not forgotten.......