I spotted this vintage poppy print right away when I went to the thrift store this weekend. As I've mentioned before, I have a thing for 70's flower prints, and this was a bigger than life variety. Until I hang it I can't quite capture the size of the print with my camera, but it measures an impressive 34"x34".
After I left the store I spent several minutes wrestling the frame into my trunk. An older woman got into the car in front of me, started to drive away, stopped, and got out of her car and approached me.
She said, "I just wanted to tell you that I am the original owner of that picture." As we talked she told me that she had bought it in 1973 in Atlanta. She had donated it to the store this past weekend along with another picture. She laughed and said, "I can't believe someone bought it. I'm so glad you are going to give a good home."
She looked at the picture for several minutes biting her lip. In those kind eyes I saw 35 years of memories flash before her. I told her how much I loved it and how glad I was it was going to start a new history in my home.
As I was driving home I kept thinking about her looking at that picture. I suddenly wished I had thought to ask her if she regretted giving the picture away, and if so she could have it back. I know better than anyone about regretting parting with items. It isn't the item but the memory that you have tied to it that makes you hang on.