Major Life Transition
This Night Wounds Time
I seldom go out at night, partly because of my agoraphobia,
partly because my humble camera equipment is not suitable for night time
photography. So I don't know why I looked out the east facing window of my
bedroom that evening. Usually I watch television and eat around that time,
then move to the west facing room where my home office sits. But I did, and saw
the full moon rising and I was inspired to pack up the camera and tripod and try
my hand over at the nearby campus where I walk.
I had just unpacked and set up, beginning my work, when I got the
call. My son. He asked me if I had heard from anyone that day. When I said no,
he said simply "Grandma died."
My mother was 90, and had been in ill health since before my
father's passing nearly 5 years previously. She had suffered a couple of
mini strokes and a progressively advancing Alzheimer's rendered it iffy that she
knew any of her children when we visited. So this was not unexpected. Still, it
hit me like a stake through the heart.
The photos on this page were taken that night, as best I could
through my tears. I include the complete set, all of those I took that evening
before my grief overtook me.
In retrospect, it has occurred to me that it was Mom who told me
to look out the window, it was Mom who told me that the world is still a
beautiful place and life is still worth living and that she is fine and not to
worry.
Still, months later, I continue to be overcome by grief whenever
I talk or write about this shoot, this night that wounds time.
I hope you enjoy this set of photos that I call "Mom's Memory". I
hope you see what I saw, with a little help from Mom. I hope you continue to
cherish those special people in your lives.
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Click picture for close up view
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