My intention was to photograph the full moonrise, yet sometimes the best intentions don’t work out — as was the case when a layer of clouds hovered on the horizon to the east. After this change of plans, I decided to concentrate on the sunset that was about to take place to the west. We were south of the Twin Cities by 35 miles, but we were in the heart of an agricultural area. Minnesota farmers have been late getting their crops into the ground this year because of the rain, but it was good to see the corn pushing up. The pivot outlined the hillside in the distance, and the sun set to the side of the silos, glowing brilliantly before slipping past the horizon. Sometimes a change of plans creates new opportunities. (PS – On this Fathers’s Day, a thanks to my dad for nurturing my sense of adventure and optimism. Miss you, Dad!)
Family
Graduation celebrations
Springtime brings many new things including new starts and celebrations. We journeyed to Kansas last weekend to celebrate the college graduations of my oldest nephew and niece. After the hardships and sorrow our family has been through recently, this was all a grand opportunity to be joyful and celebrate. The weather was wonderful, the ceremonies were filled with the usual pomp and circumstance, and everyone came together to note their accomplishments. I’m so very proud of all of my nieces and nephews – it’s been a delight to watch them grow up and to be able to share in their lives.
A trip south for family and warmth
Yesterday I made a quick trip south to warmer climes – about 200 miles to Ames, Iowa. The landscape was devoid of snow and the temps were in the low 50’s (almost tropical for this person from Minnesota where it had just dumped seven inches of snow on Friday!). My nephew plays on the Kansas State Rugby team and they were playing the Iowa State team in Ames. I don’t have much experience with rugby, but it is a fast-moving game, rough and tumble, and a testament to endurance and teamwork. This match was very physical and included some tough injuries too. In the end, the Iowa State team prevailed over Kansas State. But the day provided time for catching up with my nephew and my brother & sister-in-law — well worth the drive!
A family gathered together
This is a photograph of a family that’s come together to support one another amid a series of losses the past six months. There is love and caring, trust and help. We’ve shared our laughter, our tears, our sorrow, and our togetherness; we’ve opened our hearts to one another, and we’ve learned new things about each other in the process. When one of us was down, there was someone to listen to us, someone to comfort us, someone to hold us close. There was someone to take the lead when decisions needed to be made or tasks needed to be accomplished. I have a renewed appreciation for each of the people in this photograph.
With the recent deaths in my family I now understand first-hand the importance of photographing and preserving the memories that we collect over a lifetime. This photograph was taken after the funeral service for my mother. There was a mixture of sorrow and celebration in all of our hearts, but this is my family and I’m so very proud of our love and connection – something instilled in us all by both my mother and my father.
A mother’s love
My family has come together yet again, this time to be with my mother. Since living by herself four months after my father’s death, she didn’t have the strength/will to battle the health issues she was facing. On Tuesday she passed away with my brothers and me by her side. As we process through this, I know this is how she’d want it, as family was first and foremost for her.
The night of her death, this photo fell out of a file folder – a visual reminder of the closeness, protectiveness, and love my mother gave to me, as well as my brothers, my nieces and nephews, and our extended family.
As we gather to celebrate her life, I know she will be proud of her family — seeing us all together to help one another through our sorrow and loss.
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