Karen and I have known one another for many years because our children had gone to the same schools. She began working in the school district well before I did, but when I substitute taught, I would see her from time to time. Our daughters played basketball together so we got to know each other a bit better. Finally, I went full-time in the district. Unfortunately, I wouldn't see her much because I was at Thomas HS and she was at Schroeder HS. Karen responded to my invitation to participate in the We All Have a Story photography project (find out more) with much interest and curiosity. We sat down to talk in my studio and the more she talked the more I learned that for her, family is everything. She talked about her life growing up, her mother and father, her grandparents, career paths taken, sacrifices that were made, but at the center of all the talk was family. When she told me about the family meal that took place every Sunday, I knew that was the image I wanted. Over the course of weeks, the idea evolved to the final piece highlighting the legacy of her grandparents, Edgar and Candaisy Brown. It was so nice to meet so many of the members that make up this terrific, busy, loving dynamic, large family!
In her words:
We are the legacy of Minister Edgar and Candaisy Brown, known to us as Mother and Dad. There were eleven of us raised in a home where we were taught to honor God and family. Through all the ups, downs and crazy turnarounds, we always end with unconditional love. Whether it be sorrow, joy, disappointment, tragedy, misunderstanding,uncontrollable laughter or any shocking decisions made, it is always our duty to speak the truth in love while encouraging each other. Every Sunday after church, we have dinner together. The majority of us are scattered across this country, but we still keep in contact by letters, phone and skype.
31 grands, 46 great grands , 36 great-great grands
Karen Crawford
Teaching Assistant
Webster Schroeder High School
Please make sure to check out all the other stories in previous posts as well as the featured story on WHEC-TV 10 Here
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