Reunion

Reunion: Mr. Webster defines it as a "coming together after a long period of separation", or "a gathering of a certain group of people who have not seen each other for a long period of time". However you define it or what they mean to you, (if anything) they are a time of recollection, and reflection on a (hopefully) significant time of yøur life. In St. Louis, (and like no other city in the country) where you went to high school is as significant as the day you were born. We St. Louisans are measured sometimes not by how much money we've made, or our social class, and certainly not by what kind of car we drive, but where did you go to high school? I too had the experience of joining in with my classmates this fall (40yrs as well) and renewing very old acquaintances. I also attended another high school prior and then rejoining that group in college. We celebrated our combined high school and college reunion also. And I must say, it is that group of guys that I identify with the most. They are the bond, the glue, that endears me. It might have been our common goal or "dream" at a very young age that sustains us to this day. Our ideals and aspirations have carried us to adulthood.

I had the privilege of shooting/developing a video project for a group of ladies who's high school closed the year they graduated. A rather small school by the standards back then (1968). They had 33 in their graduating class. It was a testament of their solidarity that 24 of them returned for their 40th reunion this past summer. Several of them live out of state yet came in for this special event. And they still today meet once a month to renew their friendships, and share in each other's lives.
Thank you ladies

"Shine On, Shine On, St. Louis

This is my final project for my class. Our assignment was to "showcase" someone, something, by using video, music, photographs, and any tools that we learned in our class. I chose the City of St. Louis. There are many qualities that our city has and I'm still glad I live here. With this video, I chose not to just show some of the wonderful buildings, sites that St. Louis has to offer but some of the areas that need improvement. There has been much housing renovation completed in some really dilapidated areas. For that I'm quite thankful. It shows our government is making efforts to showcase St. Louis as a progressive city. We still have a long way to go.
Peace.

Entering Heaven

It has been said that in order for the Egyptians to pass through to heaven, they were asked two questions, "Did you find joy in your life?", and "Did your life bring joy to others?" Being a Christian (or Catholic by baptism), I often look at my life as I have (or am aging) aged and think of my own mortality and think if this is all that will be asked of me when it comes my time (hopefully) to enter heaven. I know I have found joy in my life (rather later than earlier). And then the more penetrating question remains....did my life bring joy to others? I would hope that somewhere in the scheme of things, that my life has brought joy to someone.

Quote for the Day-Dec. 13, 2008

I have decided that today's quote be taken from the noted English author, poet, novelist-D. H. Lawrence.
It reads, "One must learn to love, and then go through a great deal of suffering to get it.....and the journey is always to the other soul."

I hope we all have learned to love someone in our lives and have not had to endure to much suffering to achieve it. And yes, the journey will always lead you to another soul.

THE SOUTHWEST

This is "Maria" and she posed so apologetically for me as she said she had just awakened. She was so gracious. This little cantina is set in the mountain village of Truchas, New Mexico and the views to the west are simply breathtaking.

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I'm often asked when people see my photos of panoramic sky pictures if I've done anything to enhance the sky or changed the color of the sky. I tell them no, that the sky is simply breathtaking. I can't think of another place where I've seen such a blue sky





The Taos/Sante Fe area is a photographer's paradise. It's almost impossible to take a "bad" photo there. I first went there about 12 years ago on one of many motorcycle trips. I especially find the Taos/Pueblo
village a contradiction. While the village itself is a
stunning pictorial, it is a depressing array of a life gone awry. The village used to house some 1000 people but over the years there has been an exodus and now some 50 people live full time within the walls. They have no running water or electricity. Most of the inhabitants work outside of the village. The church-St. Jerome was built in 1850 and is still in use. People wishing to get married there must book their date months in advance.

PARENTS

I went to a memorial mass for the father of a former colleagues' over the weekend and I wanted to say a few words about our parents-mine in particular; and a nickel's worth of advice to you. I've dedicated this blog to mine-Mary and Paul (if you haven't figured this out yet). While I sat in the church and listened to the priest eulogize this man and all of his wondrous deeds he did for those in his community, I couldn't but help harken to my parents. I often "mist up" listening to someone talk about a deceased father or mother. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of mine and miss them terribly. My dad always used to tell me that I'd miss him when he was gone. Being too little or the naivete' being too strong in me, I often wondered what the hell he was talking about. Mom wasn't quite so philosophical and never chastised me if I wouldn't come and visit her grave after she had died. And to this day, the only time I've gone to the cemetery to "pay a visit" was the time Dad's little schnauzer-"Whiskers" had died. I somehow felt compelled to go and tell him (even though I surreptiously) knew that Dad knew he had died. It seems that the older I get, the more I miss them. Dad's been gone now since 1986 and Mom since 1993. It's not that they provided me with any deep philosophically intrinsic words of wisdom or would I garnish a morally morsel of life, but it's their presence that I miss the most. I often long to hear their voices not to guide me but just to tell them that I love them....something unfortunately I didn't do near enough of. I often think of Dan Fogelberg's song, "The Leader of the Band" ( a stirring tribute to his dad) the passion of the line, "I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough, and Papa, I don't think I said I love you near enough." I'd apply the words Mama to this line as well.

So, my nickel's piece of advice to those of you who truly are blessed to still have your parents with you....cherish them, love them. If you are estranged from them...have a fence to mend, slammed the door on them, open it, welcome them in. Truly don't forget to tell them how much you love them. They are gifts from God on loan for a short time and like any thing that is "loaned" to you, it will have to go back.
Peace.
PS. I thought you might like to see Mom and Dad. The younger picture of them lets you see where I get my fantastic looks from ;>). The older one shows how they aged gracefully, something I hope to do.