As I have shared recently, my husband and I lived through a fire in our old apartment, and almost nothing survived. The things I miss most are my Thesaurus and my Webster's Dictionary. 

Ironically enough, what have miraculously survived are a few photos from my past. One of them is of my mother. There had also been one of my father, but it has disappeared strangely. Another is a picture that was taken of my husband and I when we first came to Las Vegas. We were invited to a Dance in Old Vienna party, and I wore a long gown that had remained with me since I was a young girl. He went as a member of the French Foreign Legion. I recall that we won the contest for the best costumes.

There is also a picture of our wedding day in Vegas. We were married in front of a little chapel across the street from a casino called Circus-Circus. As no members of our family were able to attend, we chose our Golden Retriever as my husband's best man. Our Malamute was my maid of honor, and she wore a collar that was the same color as the bouquet I carried that day. Sadly, that collar is gone, as is my bouquet.

There are a few more pictures. One of them is the photo of a woman I grew to love as my children went from babies to grownups. Her name was Otha Lee. She was the best friend I have ever had. Last is a photo of my son and daughter when they were little tots.

It never ceases to amaze me how important photos are in our lives. They are "memory sticks" of a special kind. We aren't aware enough of how significant they will be as years go by and we are trying to reach back into the past with memories that often need assistance to enjoy.