Most of us have them, those stories from our parents and grandparents about their childhood, pets, relatives you’ve never met. I grew up listening to my Nan tell these stories whilst my sister and I played cards with her (I’m teaching my children how to play Newmarket. Thanks Nan!). And since my Nan has been gone, it has fallen to my Mum to pass them on to my children.
One person is often mentioned in these memories of years gone by. My Mum’s sister, my Auntie Pam. Sadly she passed away when my Mum was just 10 years old. She suffered from Pernicious anaemia and rheumatic heart disease. She was only 17.
My Mum had been left with only one photograph of her sister. She has carried in her purse for many many years, and it had become torn, tattered and faded.
A few weeks ago, when removing the photograph from her purse. my Mum found that another piece had ripped almost loose. Obviously this was very upsetting for my Mum.
So I told her I would try to restore the photo for her.
I carefully pieced it together and used a scanner to send it to my computer. I then painstakingly attempted to remove the tears and folds, and to fill in the missing pieces.
The result isn’t perfect, but its a huge improvement.
And best of all, it enabled me have the newly restored photo printed for my Mum, so she has a new one to carry along with her. New memories from old memories, and a gift that is priceless.
Here is the finished result.
For more information on Pernicious anaemia please visit the Pernicious anaemia society.
For more information on Rheumatic heart disease please see the NHS webpage on Rheumatic fever.