“We’re all very proud to have this photo, all five generations,” Steve says, reflecting on a moment captured in time.
In the photograph stands Steve with his mum Rose, his son, and his grandson. Wrapped in Steve’s arm is 91-year-old Opa Kurt - the reason this photograph is so special to the family.
Opa Kurt grew up in Munich and started smoking in his mid-teens, just after World War II ended. He and Oma moved to Australia when their daughter, Steve’s mum, was a young girl. While on the boat he traded his expensive Italian shoes for a pack of cigarettes. Over the years that followed, Opa sometimes smoked up to two packs a day.
But in his late 50s, Opa made a quiet, life-changing decision to quit smoking.
That decision has echoed through generations. Today, Opa Kurt is 91 and still going strong. He has shared precious time not only with his children and grandchildren, but with his great-great-grandson, who treasures every moment with his great-great Opa.
“If you’re thinking about quitting,” Steve says, “do it for your kids - and their kids.” Opa quitting meant he could be there for his family, and their families, and the generations that followed. Because of that choice, five living generations were able to stand together for one extraordinary photograph.
Steve hopes that one day, when his grandson is older, he’ll hear this story and know that his great-great Opa inspired others to quit smoking so they too could enjoy their family, and their family’s family, well into the future.
