old photographs can take you someplace new

An old man sits in a wooden rocker; a large book with blurry text and images on his lap. His arm comfortable on the armrest, his hand relaxed, fingers pointing toward the open book. He is dressed in his best – a suit and vest over a striped shirt and bow tie, his white hair a bit unruly over one ear, his beard full and well groomed. He looks out toward the camera with a seriousness, almost curiosity, but without severity, as if studying the photographer rather then the other way round. One eyelid eyelid droops a bit, just as mine does. The old man’s name is Patrick Farrelly and he is my great grandfather. This black & white photograph is the only one known to exist of him, and it was this photo sitting on my aunt’s table that started the whole thing.

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