This week I have promised the librarian at the Elizabeth Kelly Library in Almonte that the scrapbooks belonging to Lucy Connelly Poaps are definitely coming in this week. There they will reside for everyone to enjoy. I know I have promised them for the last 6 months, but you have to understand that when they leave my home, a bit of Lucy Connelly Poaps leaves me.
Lucy lent me her scrapbooks that she has kept up all these years no questions asked. These books were important to her. In turn, they also became very important to me. The minute she put them into my hands to document on The Tales of Almonte and The Tales of Carleton Place on Facebook I felt very responsible to share all the memories.
As some have constantly reminded me,“No one has asked you to do this” and even though I get upset when I hear these words, it’s true. But, in all honesty I don’t feel trapped doing what I do, as history has basically trapped me–but in a very good way.
I know why Lucy does not smile for photos, and what she loved and still loves. In my heart I have kept secrets about a few things she regrets not doing, but she shouldn’t. What she has given to her community all these years is priceless. Going through these scrapbooks made me smile, gave me thought, and were also shared with 1000s of people.
Through those scrapbooks I really got to love Lucy and felt like I was family. You can’t buy anything like that, and it was an experience of a lifetime I will never forget. Thank you Lucy for allowing me to do this, I love you much.
Saturday the 15th was Lucy’s 90th birthday and I was so honoured to attend. No matter where you have talked or reminisced with Lucy, she will never forget you. To sum it up with a bow on top her daughter Jane Stewart said it best:
“January 21st was the 63rd anniversary of our Dad’s passing. I wish I had memories of him but at least my Mom, Lucy Connelly Poaps, made sure we had photos.”
Just like her legacy of scrapbooks– Lucy made sure we all have photos to remember.
Lucy Connelly Poaps with the beautiful flowers she received from one of her dearest long term friends.
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