The Bay Window

Fifty years ago, my Dad took this photo of my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, and me sitting on the ledge of the living room bay window. He was playing around with photographic shadows again.

I spent a lot of time near that window. The black vase with artificial chrysanthemums appears in many snapshots from that era. I was surprised that my Mom displayed those flowers because in Lithuanian culture, chrysanthemums are flowers used at funerals to commemorate the dead.

Suburban Chicago, December 1961. Tatjana gazes elegantly and proudly as she sits on the window ledge. I am not sure toward which direction I should be looking. I have, however, folded my hands properly. There is snow on the ground outside, behind us.