Day 17: Elizabeth

I felt like taking pictures of myself.

Narcissistic? Perhaps.

Artistic? Let’s go with that.

The mirror is in the bedroom I have slept in at Grandma Norman’s duplex in Tallahassee for the few days before every Christmas that I can remember. I never paid any attention to the photograph stuck into the frame of the mirror until I saw it reflected in the pictures I was taking. Funny, I had to see the photograph within my own picture to finally notice it. Also reflected in the mirror was writing on the back of the photograph…

“Miss Elizabeth Nix” is printed on a small card, maybe a calling card, which is taped to the back of the photograph. Under the printed calligraphy, I recognize my grandma’s handwriting, “1915 (May).” Also in her handwriting above the calling card is “Elizabeth Nix Rossetter.”

The addition of the last name was my first clue that she was related to my grandma, as that was her maiden name. Grandma’s in bed, so I asked my mom who she was. Turns out she is my great-grandmother. Unplanned, but fascinating. I wouldn’t exist without that woman, and there she was reflected in my picture. I don’t know how old she was at the time, or why that picture was taken, but as the shutter clicked, generations collided.

My middle name is Elizabeth.