I didn’t realize it until recently, but I had shut down creatively since my friend Paul died. We used to garden together and I stopped. He used to admire my photos, and I pretty much stopped taking them. I’m finally starting to accept the fact that my friend isn’t coming back. It’s spring and it’s time to start gardening again, I’ve charged up the battery in my camera and it’s time to start shooting photos again.
Here’s a copy of the memory of him I posted not long after his death.
“Paul was a very gentle and humble person, and he loved, and cared about other people. Every time he saw me he would greet me with his enthusiastic “HI!,how are you today?” And then he would listen, really listen, because he cared. With his gentle and caring nature he even won over a surly roommate!
He was friends with everyone in the apartment complex, and loved the children. He was the first one to introduce himself when we moved here and I still remember meeting him for the first time.
When he was in the hospital he made friends with the nurses and knew them all by name. He would greet them with his usual enthusiastic “HI, how are you today?” They were sad to see him go. I doubt they get many patients as pleasant as he was.
He also made friends with an old man who was a permanent resident there. He never had any visitors and didn’t talk to anyone. Of course Paul got him to open up and they had several conversations.
He appreciated little things, a songbird, a beautiful garden, a drive around the bay, or a hike with his brother.
He had a quick wit and I could always depend on him to cheer up my day by making me laugh.
He will always have a special place in my heart.”
I will miss you my dear friend
A photo a day by me :) 