The journey through the remnants of the past can be an emotional rollercoaster, one that tugs at the heartstrings and unravels a whole string of memories. In the midst of sorting through my late mother’s belongings in South Africa back in 2023, I stumbled upon an old wooden box concealed in her wardrobe. This seemingly plain container held a chronicle of moments frozen in time — a collection of old photographs.
As I gently leafed through the images, I discovered a visual timeline of my own growth, my parents’ lives prior to their wedding day, and a whole host of fur companions who had accompanied us during various stages of our lives. What struck me most profoundly were the countless black and white photographs, a visual record reaching back to the early 1900s, documenting the lives of my ancestors. Each image seemed to whisper secrets of the past, offering a glimpse into the bygone eras that shaped the very foundation of my family tree.
These photographs were not mere snapshots; they were windows into the very essence of our familial history. The sepia-toned faces staring back at me, told stories of trials and tribulations, of memories echoing through time, and of the fiery spirit that courses through the veins of my lineage. In that moment, I felt a profound connection to a legacy that stretched far beyond my own existence.
Amidst all of this, I couldn’t help but think about the universal truth found in our relationship with photographs. How often do we find ourselves moved to tears when encountering an old photograph of a departed family member or a cherished animal companion? It’s as if the stillness of the image is a portal to the past, allowing us to revisit not just the visual aspect of the photograph, but also the emotions, scents, and textures of the moments captured.
The ability of a photograph to transcend time and space became even more apparent as I struggled to come to terms with the reality of my mother’s passing. While her physical form was no longer present, these photographs served as an emotional link to her soul. In the quiet moments, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to cry freely, feeling that some sort of spiritual link persisted through the visual echoes frozen in those pictures.
In my work as an animal communicator, I work directly with a photograph as a conduit for the communication session. A simple image serves as a bridge, enabling me to connect with the ‘higher-soul’ of an animal, transcending the limitations of physical presence. It’s a reminder that, just like the photographs that bind us to our human history, images of our animal companions hold priceless value.
So, I make a heartfelt plea to all, from my perspective as an animal communicator — capture the essence of your animals with your cameras, with your phones, with any means necessary. In the ordinary moments and the extraordinary ones, grab the opportunity to freeze those instants in time. For, when that sad inevitable day arrives, and your animal companion prepares to transition, those very photographs will be transformed into precious possessions, holding within them the memories of your shared experiences, and the enduring connection between your two souls.
Photographs are not just images; they are vessels of memory, preserving the nuances of life that fade with time. In the act of capturing a moment, we immortalize the intangible, creating a visual testament to the richness of our relationships with both people and animals alike. So, let the camera be your storyteller, and may the snapshots that fill up your camera, become the threads that weave a memory bank of love, transcending the boundaries of time and space.
Contact me if you would like to connect with your animal, passed or present.
