Past / Present Virginia Mayhew

For this work in which a person connects with their younger self through a double exposure of a photo from their childhood, Virginia sent her 7 year old self some care. From Virginia:

"My father died in an accident when I was 7 years old.

My mother later told me that he and I (the first born) adored each other.

I don’t remember much of my life, especially my early life.

In my family, the adults did not express anger, or other negative emotions.  

There was no therapy, and we did not talk about our sadness (that I remember).  We were ‘strong’.

I only saw my Mom cry once, when I came upon her in the laundry room of our house.  I had the sense that she didn’t want me to see that.  I don’t remember what happened next. 

I pulled out all my hair, and sucked my thumb until I was 10 and got my first clarinet.  

Adults at the time later told me that I became ‘the man of the house’.  

I don’t remember that, but I did become a tomboy, and loved to fight.

If I could be with my 7-year-old self, I would hug me and cry and talk about our feelings.  I would get professional help.  

My Mom did the very best she could.  She loved me and my sisters very much, but she was a product of her own upbringing.  She was probably in shock, broken-hearted, and overwhelmed."

-Virginia