part of my retro beach girls series--this is a portrait of my aunt claire and an unknown navy boy she met at virginia beach in the 40's

my aunt was never a mother. she never even married. and yet motherhood was so important to her, perhaps because she was only able to experience it vicariously. she often used to send me notes addressed "to future mother amie" with little prayers for me. she so much hoped to see my husband and i be blessed with a big brood upon which she could lavish love as she had done for me and my mother before me. it saddens me deeply that she died before my first child, which shares her name, was born. even though abbey claire will never know her great great aunt, it's wonderous to me that my daughter has my aunt's nose, that same distinctive scowl of displeasure, and a very similar infectuous nervous laugh.