Family photo

Polaroid memories from the islands.

I remember the novelty of the early days on the island. 

We couldn’t believe our luck. 

We escaped New York, leaving behind the early fall weather, and headed for the blistering heat of St Croix. We swapped a one-bedroom apartment for a palace in Frederiksted, on the west side of the island. Open-air living, spacious kitchen, front-facing lounge-room, a big yard, and a wide balcony sprawling off the master bedroom. 

We’d sit out there on the balcony late at night after Maala was asleep, our skin still sticky from the humidity, and reminisce about the previous day, or year, anything at all really. 

Facing west, we’d watch as the sun left the northern hemisphere. Sometimes I’d sit and wonder if, in those final few minutes of the day, when the sun was sharing its final rays of the day with us, I was sharing that last slither of sunlight with friends and family back home in Australia. 

It’s a humbling experience watching the sunset over the ocean. It’s easier to grasp the magnitude of the Earth and everything in it. Like no matter where we are in the world, we’re all in one big room together but we can’t see around the corner to the other side. 

“Let’s get a picture, babe. A family photo,” Mel said. 

“Good idea,” I replied. “Make sure not to blink.” 

Mel rolled her eyes. 

It was one of those perfect St Croix afternoons. Slow, warm, easy. The stress of the city and the pandemic behind us. An exciting island adventure in front of us. 

I can’t remember who was holding the polaroid camera—it may have been Sam or Mikey, who were visiting us for two weeks at the time, or Matty who lived with us for 6 months—but whoever it was succeeded. 

Our smiles say it all. We were happy in the sun, in the heat, in tan skin and loose clothes. 

Photos hold more meaning as you get older. I get it now, why Dad always wanted to take pictures. Of the meaningless and mundane. Of everyone. Of us. 

Capturing moments so they’ll be memories one day. 

In the end, isn’t that what life is all about?