All these smiling faces are brought to you courtesy of Oma and Opa’s love of photography and their fore site to ensure that there was always a camera at the ready.

“Wit müssen knipsen!”…

Or in English…

“We must photograph”…

was always Oma’s rallying cry when she found herself surrounded by family and friends.

Which happened quite often…

This is how we are able witness their legacy from the 1920’s to the present.

I feel so blessed.

The address of Grandfather’s church was 257 Euclid Avenue, Toronto.

In the top left corner you can see Oma, another church member then Opa standing by the entrance of their parsonage.

Looking at all the dresses and suits, this photo gives me a keen sense on how serious the men and women of the church were about being part of a sharply dressed congregation.

The photo in the middle is, left to right, my Father, me, my Grandmother, my aunt and then her husband and my uncle holding my cousin Veronica and then lastly Opa.

In the bottom left photo is Opa Scherer proudly standing at his pulpit. In the right photo is the church’s congregation. That’s me sitting on the ledge between Oma and Opa in front of the parsonage door. Judging by my age I would say this photo was taken 1961-62.

If you were to visit 257 Euclid Avenue today you would find that the church has since been replaced by fashionable condos. Long gone are any traces of this church.

I am grateful that Oma and Opa left us these important historical gems for all of us to look back on and be proud of.

As you go through Oma and Opa’s albums it’s clear that it’s all about the happy thoughts…

Just take a look above. There’s a souvenir coaster from a cup of coffee dated December 26 1978, and then along the bottom there’s a familiar bible verse.

Of course, we then have the obligatory photograph showing the happy grandparents.

Then there are the postcards…

One of my favourite postcards ever is the one with the Eiffel Tower. It’s the red poppy sticker of modesty that always gets me.

And then there are the albums mysterious secrets…

The red rose appliqué is somewhat of an enigma to me. Where did it come from and how is it significant?

But never mind that…

Check out the immaculately folded paper tablecloth right next to it.

I’ll never figure that one out…