Friday, December 5, 2008

Of serendipity and remembering

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It's been quite a while since I've done any real writing. I blog all the time, but lately photography seems to be occupying all of the spaces labeled "creative expression" in my brain. Where once words and ideas swam freely images now travel - rising to the surface almost of their own volition, often preferring to stand on their own, unsullied by explanation.
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Once in a while it is possible to combine the two.
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Last night a group of my dearest friends gathered (as we often do) to share a meal, friendship, and a few bottles of wine. We dedicated our gathering to the memory of my friend's father, who just passed away after a long and difficult illness. To celebrate Frank's life, we made food that he, or others' fathers, liked best, looked at the beautiful photographs he'd taken and talked about his incredible eye for composition, and shared stories of fathers and families. It was a wonderful, loving tribute to a life well lived. At my friend's request, I brought my camera along so that she could share a piece of the evening with her brother and sister back in the United States. I took a number of photos of those gathered, including a beautiful one of my friend and her mother, who had joined us for the evening.
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Eventually the food was eaten, the wine consumed, the dishes cleared away, and the stories concluded. It was time to go home. I walked out with another friend. As we stood chatting on the porch for a moment she noticed a tree covered in the most delightful looking powder puff blooms. I noticed one in particular, set slightly apart and almost seeming to glow in the warm light of the streetlamp, a beacon of color shining out in the black night sky. I looked wistfully at the bloom, saying what a beautiful photo it would make if only I had my camera, when it occurred to me that I DID in fact have my camera slung right over my shoulder at that very moment.
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It was well after midnight when I set my things down in my car and returned with my camera to capture the bloom which had so enchanted me.
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I think Frank would have approved.
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This week's Writers Island prompt was "if only".

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23 comments:

Leora said...

Nice of you to help a friend remember.

Lovely, wonderful photo. Love the colors, texture, simplicity, vibrancy.

Anonymous said...

I lOVED that post! How wonderful to celebrate his life in such a way! Kudos to all of you! Very enjoyable post!

"Sunshine" said...

Gorgeous photo and a nice tribute.

Shannon said...

Beautiful words to compliment an enchanting photograph. Talk about a great eye! I am quite sure Frank approves.

Rose said...

I think anyone would approve!

Libby's Library said...

Lovely remembrance!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful -- the flower, the words, and the tribute.

Anonymous said...

I know Frank would approve~
photos...yummy food..
That's my DAD!
:)
Fae from NJ

Anonymous said...

The poet in me wants to say it is almost as if your Frank was there and in gratitude, tapped you on the shoulder so that you would always find him in this photo. Thank you for the wonderful story and the very striking picture.

Elizabeth

Sherri B. said...

I agree with Elizabeth...it almost seems as if Frank was there with you in spirit. What a beautiful remembrance...thanks for sharing.

Stan Ski said...

The beauty of nature - a fitting reminder of beautiful experiences.

Tim said...

Nice picture . . . and what a wonderful thing to do for others. I love the dinner idea and will try to prompt one for others. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY!!!!! THAT'S GORGEOUS. THE FACT THAT HE LOVED PHOTOGRAPHING FLOWERS SO MUCH AND LOVED FOOD MAKES THE WORLD A PLACE FULL OF THINGS TO REMEMBER HIM BY. AND IT TRULY WAS A WONDERFUL EVENING,WARM, CALM, FUN AND SWEET – JUST LIKE MY DAD! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CATCHING THAT FLOWER THAT WAS JUST WAITING FOR YOU TO CATCH IT! DEB (FRANK'S OTHER DAUGHTER).

Gemma Wiseman said...

Loved your story leading up to that final vibrant image of a flower blooming in the night!

Beautiful tribute!

paisley said...

what an amazing send off... i am so sure that frank would have approved.....

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Gorgeous, beautiful shot of an explosion of creation. What a wonderful way to celebrate and remember.

Robin - I received your book and card yesterday! Thank you SO much! The art work is so stunning.

deedee said...

You combine words and photos beautifully. Yes, I think your friend's dad would have like that flower.

Maribeth said...

That really is beautiful.
It's pretty here this morning. Lightly falling snow against white skies. Very pretty!

Anonymous said...

What a nice way to share tribute with your friend. You did catch a beautiful moment in this post!

Phyllis Sommer said...

beautiful, robin.

Janet said...

What a lovely tribute to your friend's father...and that photo is spectacular!

MyMaracas said...

What a wonderful, touching post. Your father sounds like he was a very special man. The photo is beautiful, too.

I know what you mean about photos taking over your blog. I've noticed the same thing in mine, and have started writing a bit more. It's easy to just let the pictures do the work, isn't it.

Cassiopeia Rises said...

This is a beautiful testament to a life that was lived to the fullest.
"To name the dead is to give meaning to their lives", (Wally Lamb)
Photo is just so lovely


love-bd