A new box of old Tuttle & Leatherman family pictures
October 3rd, 2006 by sashafaith
Trip’s uncle Jay is moving away and is rather estranged from the rest of his family. I was really concerned that he would leave and we would have no way to contact him at all. Already, the only way I can reach him is to walk to his house. I went dropped by to see them two weeks ago and I actually got a little emotional when I was talking with him and thinking about the fact that he may not see his family ever again (at this rate). He is living in his mom’s old house, and I am so glad I thought to say, “If you come across any old pictures, please let me know – I’d be happy to take care of them.” I truly believe he might have thrown them out. They had already found some and handed over some gems – including a gorgeous picture of my husband’s grandparents (we only had one other). 
Yesterday they called me to say they had a big box of pictures for me, and I ran straight over. There is an album of Trip’s baby pictures that his “Plain Grandma” Ann Mitchell made for his Grandma Ruthie. There were several beautiful sepia toned portraits of Trip’s Grandma Ruth Tuttle from what looks like the 20’s. So many nice pictures – I’ve decided to make another scrapbook from them for my mother in law for Christmas (after I scan them). I’m mailing the others to the respective Leatherman and Tuttle families that are shown in them. I did a project like this on a very large scale when Trip’s parents moved out of their house in Wall, and wound up sorting through many huge boxes of Grandma Ruthie’s papers, a huge postcard collection, pictures, letters, cards, etc. She was a friendly woman, who took lots of pictures, wrote lots of letters, sent lots of cards, traveled all over the world and she saved all of the things that were sent to her from her friends and family who did the same. It can get overwhelming dealing with all that kind of stuff, but I’m still grateful for the chance to do what I can to preserve the “good” stuff.