Recent Work: August 2008

Here’s some recent work from the month of August.

August has been spent trying to keep my eye fresh and not burn myself out as I near the end of our prison project. I’ve been blessed in the last few weeks of working at the prison to make some decent strides and am going to miss the place as we pick up and move to Dallas in a month.

Although most days I look at the walls of prison photos we have hanging here and struggle with what I see, but so goes the nature of working on a long-term project.

These images though are all outside the prison walls and a creative release in an effort to keep my senses heightened.

Check out the photos on the Recent Work section of my website. Thanks for looking.

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Gone Fishin’

Spent a relaxing night out on the lake with my Grandpa fishing. The fish weren’t really biting, but I didn’t mind.

Mother Nature and my Grandpa’s company were all I needed.

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Welcome back to Minnesota

I’m spending some quality time back home in MN catching up with family and friends.

Worked played a little bit more with my Unknown project.

The best person to take pictures for is yourself.

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I love you Grandma

As a child one of my wishes was that all my friends and family would die at the same time so I wouldn’t have to deal with the pain of death. Now a little older I realize that wasn’t a very reasonable wish.

For the past month or so I’ve been back home in Minnesota helping my family take care of my Grandma who was recently diagnosed with cancer and given six weeks to live.

Last week I had to face that fear of death when my Grandma left us for a better place.

It was the hardest, but also the most rewarding experience of my life and brought me closer to her and my family. For that I can’t thank my Grandma enough. Actually I can’t thank her enough for everyone she’s done in her life for me. My Grandma would always tell us in the last weeks she was hassle. We’d always remind her that she wasn’t. My Grandma, no matter her condition, took care of us more than we took care of her. She was by far the strongest woman I knew in all facets of life. This was a woman who pitched so many hay bales in her life that her first wedding ring split in half from all the friction of the baling twine rubbing against her ring.

In the weeks that I was with my Grandma I realized there’s a lot more to experiencing life than being behind a camera. With no camera to mask my feelings the tears flowed freely, my heart weeped openly and my appreciation for just living grew immensly. No worrying about color, light, or composition. Only moments mattered. Precious and priceless time spent with my Grandma.

Every minute did really matter and needed to be cherished as such.

For far too long I’ve taken for granted the simple act of loving and living. Cherish those you love. They’re what matter in life.

Here’s a little something I read or tried to read at my Grandma’s funeral:

Grandma I love you

Thank you for all you shared
Thank you for all your care

Grandma I’ll miss you

Although my heart fills with tears
Your strength reminds me that there’s nothing to fear

Grandma I love you

Grandma I’d tell you it’s not fair
You told me it’s all in God’s prayers

Grandma I’ll miss you

Grandma I’ll never forget laying at your side
You lived life with God as your guide

Grandma I’ll miss you

Grandma your quilt reminds me of your tender touch
And it’ll keep me forever wrapped in your love

Grandma I love you.

Grandma I’ll never forget our last moments together
Me calling upon the power of prayer and you telling me not to fear

Grandma I’ll miss you

Grandma thanks for the note you left I cried as I read the words you wrote
I’ll miss you too and can’t wait to see you in heaven

Grandma I miss you and I love you

I love you Grandma GrandmaHands
Grandma’s gentle touch will forever be my guide.
Photo by: Jenn

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Christmas at Grandma’s

 

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Driving to Grandma’s

It’s no HumveeTV, but you can never go wrong with a drive to Grandma’s for Christmas. I never thought much of the drive until I moved away and realized just how special it is.

 

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Nature

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Open Fields

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This Way

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St. Anthony, MN, Pop. 38

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Almost There

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The Cottage Pt. 4

More from the cottage in Nags Head.

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Afternoon walk.

The weather was gorgeous this afternoon so Jenn and I went on a walk.

Afternoon walk. dunes

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Oh Christmas Tree

Jenn and I put up and decorated our tree yesterday. Here’s a time lapse of the ordeal.

Happy Holidays!

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The Cottage Pt. 3

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