Gemotions

The sunlight streamed through the attic window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air as Emily eagerly unboxed the collection of photographs. She’d always felt a certain distance from her family history, but something about this discovery filled her with an incredible lightness.

She pulled out a photo of her grandfather, the quiet, unassuming man who had always been a steady presence in her life. He was pictured on a motorcycle, wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses. He was smiling broadly. "Wow," she breathed, her heart swelling.

The next photo was of her grandmother, the woman who had always seemed so proper and elegant. She was pictured hiking in the mountains, wearing a backpack and laughing. Her face was tanned, and her eyes sparkled. Emily chuckled, the sound echoing in the attic. She was getting a whole new picture of her family.