52 Ancestors Week 2 - Favorite Photo - My Two Mothers

Zofia Skalska in 1955 at 29 years of age

Choosing just one favorite photo is just impossible.  So I decided that I would highlight some of my long standing favorites of my favorite people...my moms.  Zofia Skalska (1926-1976) gave birth to me in 1970 and left me at the tender age of 5.  Everything I know about her and all the photos I have of her are through my second mom, Helena Skalska (1924-2015) her sister and my aunt. I don't have any memories of Zofia, yet I feel I know her quite well, and that is due to the constant interactions with Helena, who never let Zosia's memory die.  She would often remark about how I reminded her of her sister in different ways.  I miss that now...terribly.  

But back to the task at hand.  Today is January 12th 2018 and it would have been Zofia's 92nd birthday, so I begin with her.  

This is my mum's glamour movie-star shot.  I have always wondered what might have happened if she had taken on a role in the theater production of "Roxy" in 1946. Her uncle Stanisław Skalski, who worked all over Poland in the theater as an actor and director, could have made it happen that year in Cieszyn-Bielsko, Poland. But alas her father, Tadeusz Skalski, would not allow her to even consider it.  Who knows what sort of career it could have launched?

 

Zofia Skalska age 16

I have always loved this photo of Zofia from when she was 16 years old.  First off, I just couldn't comprehend such a flawless complexion!  But what really draws me to this photo is the spark in her eyes and the wisdom behind them...and that little smirk playing about her lips.  How many times I wish I could have learned of what thoughts she was hiding there.  From stories Helena told, Zofia was always very private and sometimes secretive in her thoughts, the exact opposite of herself.  So who knew what was going on in her mind in this photo!  I have always felt that she must have been a very old soul though, and this photo illustrates that so well.

This is a photo of Helena from about the same period and it highlights so well their difference in temperament.  Helena was much more outspoken and wore her emotions on her sleeve.  There is nothing mysterious about this girl...she is just sheer joy!

Helena Skalska age 20

And here is a picture of a painting that Helena did of herself in 1944 from this very photo!

And one last shot of Helena in her glamour movie-star pose... I love profile shots and this one is hands down my favorite.  Just gorgeous!

Helena Skalska 1955 at 30 years of age

Next week's topic is Longevity...