On the sand

I believe this photograph was taken between 1953 and 1955.

For reasons she never spoke about, Grandma returned to live in Calais in 1952 with her three youngest children: Roger, Pierre and Marguerite, my mother.

On this sunny day, Georges had come to spend the weekend with his family, or perhaps to attend a family celebration. They are all dressed in their Sunday best. Had he only just arrived, or was he about to leave, moments before catching the train home? His suitcase rests on the sand.

Michelle, his daughter and the mother of a little girl born in 1951, was probably unable to come. If she was the one taking the photograph, then Elisabeth would have been standing with the rest of the family.

Pierre seems to be nestling against Georges, as though trying to make the most of a presence that was all too rare, or perhaps simply seeking shelter from the wind. Georges has one arm around his mother’s shoulders. The distance weighs heavily on him, and he treasures every opportunity to be reunited with his family.

My mother is seated just as a young woman of that era was expected to be: upright, modest, with her legs carefully folded to one side.

Roger, on the other hand, appears perfectly at ease. He looks directly at the camera with quiet confidence.

A passer-by most likely kindly offered to take this family photograph.