Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Happy Birthday Gwenie - Wherever You Are



Recently, I found a small cache of pictures from various time periods in my life including some photos when I was very young. This photograph is one of my all-time favorites. The photograph itself is a nice composition showing four small girls diligently blowing polyvinyl acetate bubbles. In the picture, each little girl is in a different stage of the process. Marcia, the girl on the far right, is just beginning the bubble blowing. Next, towed-headed Susan has produced a medium sized bubble. Plus, Susan is visible right through the her bubble, which is a nice artistic touch. Little Linda's bubble is smaller. Finally, there I am the dark-haired child on the left with a ginormous bubble.

In addition to being a nice photographic composition, this picture depicts a happy and memorable event. This bubble blowing event took place at a summer birthday party of a neighborhood friend, Gwenie, whose real name is Gwendolyn. The birthday girl is a few years older than me, and her birth date was on July 18th. Every year, Gwenie would have a party and invite a few neighborhood friends. I am happy to have this snapshot glance of such fun and joyful time in my life.

As the years past, Gwenie and I attended different schools. My family moved away from that neighborhood so I lost track of Gwenie, her sister Susan, and their little brother Kim. But every year on July 18th, I remember that this is Gwenie's birthday. Happy Birthday Gwenie wherever you are.

24 comments:

Pamela said...

I could smell the bubbles!!!!!!!!

yes.. happy birthday Gwenie -- wherever you are. Love the picture.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love this photograph (and of course, it's very cool you've got the biggest bubble).

No wonder it is one of your favourites.

Jen said...

What a great picture and a wonderful memory, too. I hope Gwennie does indeed have a happy birthday! It looks like the one in the picture was wonderful!

katy said...

lovely photo, Happy Birthday Gwenie, it would be lovely to meet up with our friends who have moved away wouldn't it

Debs said...

What a great photo. I love the story that goes with it. It is so sweet you remember her ever year.

Nessa said...

The picture is fantastic and how sweet that you remember every year.

Lynne said...

I just love your old photos! Makes me want to go and dig in all those boxes marked "old photos" we moved last year from Colorado to New Jersey.

But then again ... maybe not just yet ...

Wonderful nostalgic photo!!!

riseoutofme said...

Lovely, lovely post.

Margaret said...

I remember those bubbles! They always fascinated me. I think often of my childhood, high school and college friends and wonder what happened to them. I wish there were an easy way to find out.

LizLSB said...

Simply beautiful. Both the memory and the photo. What a treasure!

Anonymous said...

Life seemed simpler back then. Is it just me? Hey. Are those the bubbles with the smell kind of like airplane glue?

Anonymous said...

And I love your robin banner!

Anonymous said...

This photo should be entered in a contest somewhere. Love it.
These photos send me back to a more simple time...poignant.

captain corky said...

Amazing bubbles! Do you still remember her phone number?

Anonymous said...

That is a really cool picture and a great memory!

You could probably Google her and send a birthday card!

(stopped over from Corky's Log, but you already know that since you saw me "unmasked")

Molly said...

I did try The Birdman's advice and googled Gwenie. I was surprised actually to find her in "Alumni Notes" of a 2001 publication of a university in Indiana along with her married name and city of residence.

That googling is amazing.

Beccy said...

Wow, those bubbles are amazing! They don't make them like that anymore.

Brooke - Little Miss Moi said...

Dear mjd. that is a beautiful photograph! I just love the composition - it looks like a professional photo. Happy birthday to gwenie too!

Biddie said...

I adore this photo. It looks something that you would see on a birthday card...Just wonderful...

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely lovely photograph!!

ChrisB said...

That is a lovely photo, I love lloking through old photos and the memories that come flooding back when I see them.

theotherbear said...

That is a lovely photo. I agree with a previous commenter that suggested it would look good on a birthday card!

dilling said...

you know, I had a friend named Gwendolin that I lost along the way, too. I often think of her, 30 years later. Sigh. Happy Birthday, Gwen.

daddy d said...

Great contrast in the picture. It make me want some high power camera. They are having so much fun dealing with air pressure. Real science.