Like Father, Like Son
Have you said something or done something and then realized, “Oh, this is just like my dad or mom!”?
I’m guessing many of us have had this experience. It seems that as we all become older, we begin to see the similarities between parents and children on different levels. The physical traits are often the most obvious with the hair color or skin color or a genetic link to a specific disease. The environmental influences are more difficult to discern. Where did that fiery personality come from? Or what about that tendency to be more introverted? Why do I like pancakes dripping with butter? Or why do I detest raw oysters? All of our human “being-ness” comes from somewhere. Are these physical and personality traits “just who we are?”
Capt. Charles E. Taylor, “Charlie” c.1940 & Pvt. Charles E. (Taylor) Eklund, “Chuck” 1964
Father and son, side by side. I could see the similarities between my father-in-law and my husband. This picture on the left was found in the box along with the letters that Charlie had written to Chuck’s mother, Mary Lou.
As I researched family history for my book, The Ribbon Untied: A Journey to Finding a Family, I pored over these letters. I could see a sense of humor in his puns. I noticed how he asked Mary Lou questions which showed his care and concern. These personal traits were so much like my husband. It was striking, and my eyes would be brimming with tears. How could my husband be so much like his father, whom he had never known?
One of my favorite observations comes from a letter that Charlie wrote in October 1944.
I have a collection of pictures that I want to show you. The entire lot is divided into three lots. Hawaii, Marshall & Gilberts, and Saipan. I’ve been fortunate to score a lot of good pictures. I’m a newsboy because I have my camera.
Unfortunately, we don’t have any of Charlie’s pictures. However, we do have pictures from Chuck’s military service, like these.
Berlin, 1965 & Viet Nam 1966
As I have observed my husband over our 50 plus years of marriage, I see the same behaviors—how he organizes his pictures around a subject matter. These two photos, just like Charlie’s pictures of WWII, were taken with a film camera and developed in a dark room. Chuck scanned them into a digital format. Chuck now uses a multitude of software programs to process his photos. To organize his work, he uses Adobe Lightroom Classic. This allows him to find images more quickly and share them with family and friends.
I also see Chuck’s passion as he “scores a lot of good pictures.” He rarely goes anywhere without his camera. And I often hear him say, “The best camera is the one you have with you.”
To our family and friends, Chuck is known to be the “newsboy” who records our outings through his amazing pictures. Often after an event he will surprise people with the pictures or a Ken Burns style video. When we walk in the park with our dog, Gabby, he captures the uniqueness of a tree or leaf or flower. The beauty or antics of the birds or wild animals get recorded, too. Often these images, with tidbits about the pictures, will be sent to a multitude of friends and family. It is a very special way of connecting with those we love. Like father, like son--both have built friendship with others through the joy of photography.
When we moved to the Pacific Northwest, I think Chuck was in photographers’ heaven! He joined the Bainbridge Island Photo Club, and within a short time he became editor of their newsletter. (Newsboy, again.) This wonderful, talented group of photographers shares and offers support to each other as they improve their craft. Here are just a few of his pictures which he has shown publicly. All of these have received special awards at the July 4th Photo Club Exhibit.
Grand Canyon, Winter 2008
French Castle, Summer 2005
Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View, Winter 2016
I think Chuck’s father would love to have seen his son’s pictures! And “Like Father, like son,” the two of them would have been excited to sling their camera bags over their shoulders and head out together to capture some amazing sights! The adventure would probably be an early morning hike with a hot cup of coffee to take away the chill. Or civil twilight—that hour after the sun has seemingly gone down. Always, to take advantage of beams of light. Then they would return home and over a glass of Irish whiskey for Chuck and Scotch for Charlie, they would chat about the events of the outing. Then plan for another journey . . .
View Chuck’s presentation at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center here.