13 Comments
Feb 1Liked by Laurie Sunderland, Deborah Way

I was drawn into your story from the first line and you had my upright attention all the way through the photo captions. What a treat to read about your Papa on this rainy morning.

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A day brightener for sure ❤️

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Feb 2Liked by Laurie Sunderland

I just love the photo of your father! It resonates that era and the universal human urge to explore. National Geographic made it possible for most everyone to go exploring, whether they could afford to travel, or not.

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Feb 1Liked by Laurie Sunderland, Deborah Way

What’s not to love about this? We should celebrate more stories like this of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I had a love of National Geographics myself; the photography in them always stellar. My family couldn’t afford them, but I remember looking through them at friends’ houses. I know that sometimes the photos of animals, like snakes, could absolutely cause me to not be able to touch the page, but speed by them because they were so real. Thank you for this lovely essay, and I love the way Papa got his mail.

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I’m glad you got to see those pictures that you remember to this day 💓

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Feb 1Liked by Laurie Sunderland, Deborah Way

I know Papa is very proud of you and I can just see his wink from above!

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❤️

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Feb 1Liked by Laurie Sunderland, Deborah Way

Wonderful story. I would have liked to meet Papa. He does sound like a Renaissance Man. Love the photos, especially of your father. How nice that you inherited your grandfather's love of faraway places.

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Agree ❤️

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Feb 10Liked by Laurie Sunderland

What a great post. I love National Geographics and love seeing those bound books. Such a treat.

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This is so beautiful! Your Papa was brilliantly creative and look at how you've inherited that creativity too :)) Reminded me of my own grandmother and the things she left behind. Loved your storytelling and, those gorgeous pictures! I read the piece twice and relished the pictures even longer ❤️

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Thank you for your beautiful and thoughtful comment! It made my day.

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What a lovely legacy.

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