PHOTOGRAPHS

I’ve been working on my photo albums this week.

Not gonna lie…I’ve had a few tears as I look through photos of our families and friends near and far. I miss them all so much and I try not to let my mind go to that dark place of fear. Covid news is scary, constant, and real.

Two days ago I lost another friend due to Covid, Fr. Mike McCaffery. “‘Death of a legend,’ ‘the passing of an era’ or ‘the end of an institution.’ These are all true,” said Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith in a press release. He was a great priest and friend. Thankfully, most of the families I know who got Covid have recovered. But now my Ontario families are in full lockdown mode too. It’s just so scary.

I printed off one year’s worth of photos. I decided to do it this way so that I would save another project for the long winter days that I normally avoid with a hot destination by now.

So I gaze with tenderness upon my children, their children, photos of my siblings, etc. from safer times and the longing in my heart is a strong pull. But I am glad that I take so many photos because it helps my memory to recall all the fun things we did together and it gives me hope that someday we will be together again…God willing in good health.

I have always done a ‘scrapbooking’ style of album so it takes me many hours to tape and configure the various pictures on each page and then label them. I think I’m up to Album # 72 of the ‘family’ albums. (I don’t do the “Laura and Terry travel” albums anymore. But I did put together two large albums from our SpiritLine Tour.)

And although I included the above statement about taking photographs I don’t actually think that is the only way we can feel close to those we love. I pray for my loved ones every single day and I feel close to them ..living and deceased… this way too.

I love that little graphic that turns 2021 into hope.

That’s what I’m going to do too….. I’m going to turn 2021 into the year of hope.

Peace.