Guest Blog from PopPop, John Ford, to Johnny Ford Dumais

​June 18, 2021
Dear Johnny,
Tonight I went to bed and couldn’t get these pictures out of my head. Ann Marie, or AHAH to you, just showed them to me earlier. As I tried to fall asleep I found myself overwhelmed with emotion thinking about them. I knew that my tears were speaking to me so I got out of bed and wrote this note to you.

​Someday, when you’re as old as PopPop, you will fully understand the feelings that I am attempting to express.

​When I saw this series of photographs of you I was moved with so much love and appreciation for your beauty and your incredible lightness of being at the age of three. What innocence and joy you exude in these pictures and what joy you bring to me on this upcoming father’s Day!  

When I was younger I truly enjoyed each moment with my three daughters. But often times there was not enough time for me and AHAH to catch our breath and reflect on how wonderful life truly was. However, with a generation between us, and me being closer to the final chapters, I can now see the circle of life more clearly. 

Through these wonderful photos taken by AHAH, I see you as my dad saw my kids, and how my grandfather saw me, and on and on it goes.

​Tonight, I am full with happy tears as I know that most of what you will experience in life will be without my earthly presence. You will love and be loved, you will experience great joy, and you will assuredly experience pain and loss. 

Throughout the arc of life, I hope that God is good to you and allows you to retain a good deal of your joy and lightness of being.
​

Love,
PopPop
P.S. When you’re old enough to understand, thank AHAH for her commitment and countless hours in learning the skills to become an artist. Her photographs have enriched our lives and will be cherished for generations to come.

Side note form Ann-Marie:
You have taught me so much and have been my supporter all the way. Love you!