Tender

Near Erlangen, German, about 1944. By the time this woman—a medical-school classmate of my Mom's—gave Mom this snapshot, the woman's husband had long departed for the Eastern Front.

Furnished Reunion

Urbana, Illinois, June 1981. This was the living room of my furnished apartment.

After we pick, we pit.

Door County, Wisconsin, July 1980. It's the second part of the job.

Ha! I remember how much I loved those curtains when Mom sewed them in the 1970s. The fabric featured a Japanese-inspired motif.

After-Dinner Conversation

Suburban Chicago, October 1972. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, chats with Vytenis. Tatjana dozes again; she had narcolepsy. She wears the watch we bought for her in Switzerland.

Related by Marriage: The Godparents

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, January 18, 1959. Mr. Irene's Godparents, Martha and Anthony, admire the new arrival.

A Visit with the Grandchild

Klaipeda, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, August 20, 1960. A friend of my paternal Grandmother sent this photo. I focus on two things: the Soviet-style doll and the armchair.

Hammered Dulcimer

Madison, Wisconsin, December 1989. I once tried to learn to play the dulcimer. It did not go well.

Related by Marriage: Resting after the Ritual

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, Spring 1960. Mr. Irene's Parents, Wally, and Martha relax after the Sunday meal.

"Remembering you ... we are always together."

Kaunas, Lithuania, November 30, 1995. My Mom's friend Joy cherishes an image from the portrait sitting.

Easterscapes, in Three Takes

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Suburban Chicago, Spring 1965 or 1966. My Best Friend's Mom, Louise, decorated the house for every holiday.

Related by Marriage: Bridal Fashions

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, January 1958. Aunt Petra assesses the modern styles.

Weekend Coffee

Suburban Chicago, 1979. Dad and Mom are guests for coffee. I see a box of slides on the coffee table. It could be a long afternoon.

Domestic Self-Expression

In communist-era "identical[ ] apartments [designed] to 'put an end to any individualistic inclinations, which were considered as a threat on the ‘new man’ who was not to be encouraged into having opinions of his own'."

I could spend hours looking at stuff like this.

ADDED: On which floor would you be most comfortable? I'd choose the nine-floor apartment (although I bet that portrait of Jesus wasn't on display in 1967). The first-floor flat comes in second for me; I like it because you can see the herring-bone parquet.

Decorating the Tree

Suburban Chicago, December 1961. My Dad, my Toronto Cousin, Kadis, and I decorate the tree. I dance when I get excited, and I recover from spills easily.

First-Christmas Reunion

Madison, Wisconsin, December 1989. Mr. Irene and I decorated the apartment for the holidays. This is the piece hanging above the fireplace. You may recognize the coffee table.

Inspection

Suburban Chicago, December 1970. Gigi explores the tree. (That unwrapped box from Marshall Field's is probably Dad's gift to Mom.)

Gift Exchange

Suburban Chicago, December 1962. I'm on the floor, observing the guests. Hey! That little fellow has a bottle of my favorite soda.

Party Preparations

Suburban Chicago, October 31, 1961. This snapshot shows a view of the Rec Room before my Parents redecorated it. The top of the play table is uncluttered.

Related by Marriage: Cheerful

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, November 1965. Everyone enjoys Ignas's visit.

Routine

Suburban Chicago, October 1969. Gigi is on guard duty while Mom practices the piano.