Time flies and suddenly it’s a New Year! Last year was a time of recovery and healing for me. The passing of my father was not unexpected but still shocking all the same. Losing anyone dear to you changes your world. It takes time to learn to live without them in your life.
Many feelings lift us up and crush us down. Sadness, depression, anxiety, happiness, love, freedom. We try to fill this jagged chasm of loss with memories of love and happiness. Over time it smooths out, but it will always be a pit on our path.
I found freedom. Freedom from worry, commitments, being a caregiver. Anyone who’s ever cared for someone else understands. There’s guilt over this new found freedom. It’s ok to feel these things. We are sad for the loss or change, but it can’t last forever or stay the same. Life is change. So you do your best to climb out of the pit and start down the path again.
Depression and anxiety seem to be the most insidious of all. They plague the daily lives of many of us. Any change in our world adds to it. I strive daily to deal with it. Some days are better than others. So I continue down my path with all its twists and turns.
I am thankful for my family, friends, and co-workers – both in person and through social media. I am blessed with a wide range of work and hobbies that connects me with so many amazing people. It’s these people that filled my photography this past year. These images show me love, happiness, laughter, some sadness, and accomplishments. Here’s my journey in 2017…
As the sun sets on one life,
it rises again to show us the light and give us hope.
We learn from the past
and look to the future.
We lift our heads up each day and try to live the best we can.
Some days we fail.
Some days we succeed.
We reconnect with friends from long ago.
We strive,
relax,
and laugh with our friends.
We share time with family,
and friends far away.
We enjoy the beauty around us.
We celebrate the accomplishments of our loved ones.
We say goodbye to a beloved pet,
and then laugh and squeeze the others
We see the ordinary a little differently.
And we hold on tight to the ones we love.
Here’s to another year and your path, wherever it takes you and your photography.