I’m so thrilled to have found them! She looks so free - free of her past and all the secrets, and just free to be who she is. I know I’ve overlayed and read into those smiles, but I can’t help myself!
When we lived in Anchorage we met a man who would visit the native villages to take school photos. He said the whole town would welcome them (he and the pilot). They would provide a huge feast and then the next day the village showed up in their finest for a village photo, a school photo, multigenerational family photos, and of course family photos.
I also met a woman in her 60s (?) who was from a village near Barrow, Alaska. She went South towards the capital to boarding school. Her parents paid for her to attend school. Others from her community attended the government boarding school. She said it was a fantastic opportunity and because she was taught English, typing, and shorthand she was able to get a job at the base in Barrow.
We also visited Homer, Alaska and met family members whose parents homesteaded in Homer after WW2. The lived in a sod house till they could afford to build a wooden/log house. We also attended a exhibit of families where they displayed family photos and reminisced about living as pioneers in Homer.
We had friends from Saudi Arabia who went to a native village North of the Artic Circle in Alaska for a year. He taught and she served as a nurse. She said that when they woke up in the mornings there would be ice inside their living unit. This was around 2010 or so.
Since moving to Washington we met a school teacher who taught up in one of the villages with one other teacher. I think she lasted one year. She said the isolation got to her.
I can not imagine living in that ramshackled wooden structure out in Alaska 90 years ago.
What fabulous memories - thanks for sharing. I have a friend who’s lived in a little village since college and his stories are pretty wild, as well. Hardy folks, for sure.
Aimee's story would make a great historical fiction novel. Romance -- Betrayal -- Scandal It has it all. I'm enjoying the non-fiction version, but I think fleshed out it would appeal to a wider audience.
Thanks, Deborah. I went back and forth on how to tell the story, but ultimately wanted to stay as true to the facts as possible. At heart I’m a nf writer, reader, researcher and genealogist, I guess 😉
Thanks, Jill! There are still a few chapters left, and some pretty huge twists, but I agree, knowing Aimee found thr peace and sense of belonging she’d always wanted is definitely a high note in the story!
I understand your excitement at finding these photos! It is an upbeat ending to an unfortunate story.
It is definitely upbeat, but not quite the end of Aimee's story. We have a few weeks - and some massive surprises - still ahead!
I loved seeing these photos. What a lovely coda to Aimee's story.
Right!? Thanks, I feel the same way!
What a treasure trove! I love the smile
On Aimee’s face in some of the photos. She has a peaceful countenance in others. So glad you shared these!
I’m so thrilled to have found them! She looks so free - free of her past and all the secrets, and just free to be who she is. I know I’ve overlayed and read into those smiles, but I can’t help myself!
When we lived in Anchorage we met a man who would visit the native villages to take school photos. He said the whole town would welcome them (he and the pilot). They would provide a huge feast and then the next day the village showed up in their finest for a village photo, a school photo, multigenerational family photos, and of course family photos.
I also met a woman in her 60s (?) who was from a village near Barrow, Alaska. She went South towards the capital to boarding school. Her parents paid for her to attend school. Others from her community attended the government boarding school. She said it was a fantastic opportunity and because she was taught English, typing, and shorthand she was able to get a job at the base in Barrow.
We also visited Homer, Alaska and met family members whose parents homesteaded in Homer after WW2. The lived in a sod house till they could afford to build a wooden/log house. We also attended a exhibit of families where they displayed family photos and reminisced about living as pioneers in Homer.
We had friends from Saudi Arabia who went to a native village North of the Artic Circle in Alaska for a year. He taught and she served as a nurse. She said that when they woke up in the mornings there would be ice inside their living unit. This was around 2010 or so.
Since moving to Washington we met a school teacher who taught up in one of the villages with one other teacher. I think she lasted one year. She said the isolation got to her.
I can not imagine living in that ramshackled wooden structure out in Alaska 90 years ago.
What fabulous memories - thanks for sharing. I have a friend who’s lived in a little village since college and his stories are pretty wild, as well. Hardy folks, for sure.
These photos are incredible you are so lucky to have them!
Thanks, Paul! I was thrilled to find them!
Aimee's story would make a great historical fiction novel. Romance -- Betrayal -- Scandal It has it all. I'm enjoying the non-fiction version, but I think fleshed out it would appeal to a wider audience.
Thanks, Deborah. I went back and forth on how to tell the story, but ultimately wanted to stay as true to the facts as possible. At heart I’m a nf writer, reader, researcher and genealogist, I guess 😉
What a beautiful bonus! The photos are fantastic. What a wonderful ending to her story.
Thanks, Jill! There are still a few chapters left, and some pretty huge twists, but I agree, knowing Aimee found thr peace and sense of belonging she’d always wanted is definitely a high note in the story!
Glad to hear there will be more about her later life and happier days. I look forward to reading
Glad you found those meaningful photos — happy dance!
Thanks, Neil - aren’t they fabulous! And such a contrast in the life Aimee had lived up until then.
I feel like such a late bloomer here but man…. What a story. You had me at the Parker house rolls!
I had a feeling you might like that Parker not Parker aspect 😉