Saturday, October 27, 2012

Walter, Detroit Tigers #1 fan...may he rest in peace

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As photographers we sometimes forget what our photos can mean to people. We may win awards, have our work exhibited on gallery or museum walls, see our photos featured on the web, or even have a book published, but if even one of our photos makes a difference in someone's life, that is what it's all about. Thanks to a loving daughter named Denise I now know how the pictures posted above touched lives in ways I could never have imagined.

Let me share with you the email Denise sent me on Thursday:

Hi Patricia,

Hope this email finds you well. Don't know if you remember me but you took some wonderful pictures of my Dad, Brother and family at the Tiger Game September, 2011. I wanted to let you know that sadly my Dad passed away this past Mothers Day, 2 weeks before his 93rd Birthday.

He had to start emergency kidney dialysis after a procedure last Nov 2011. He made a miraculous recovery and was in the hospital/in patient rehab until mid Dec. He came to live with me and my family and was progressing until Feb. Then in March 2012 he was readmitted to the hospital due to a rapid heart rate and overall weakened condition. At that time the doctors found a massive lung infection that had been weakening his heart along with the dialysis. My Dad fought so hard to get well and always seemed to bounce back. He made it through another 7 weeks in the hospital and remained fairly stable. He was discharged the begin of May to a skilled nursing/rehabilitation facility to get stronger and have some additional skilled care. The plan was to have him come back and live with me and my family in about 4-6 weeks. Unfortunately he was only there 12 days when his heart stopped.

My Dad was such a big part of my life and I miss him terribly but was blessed to have him with me for so many years. Its been hard for me to watch the Tiger Games because I miss sharing that with my Dad. He was their #1 fan and would have been so excited they made it to the World Series this year.

I wanted to contact you many times to somehow let you know that the pictures you took at the game ended up being more precious than you could imagine. They were taped up in every hospital room and rehab facility that my Dad was in the past year. He pulled through his darkest moments looking at those pictures and sharing their story with staff and doctors. I've posted those pictures on facebook; made prints of them to give as gifts and took one with me to the final playoff game last week to honor my Dads memory. I wanted you to know that your pictures of my Dad and family were a gift far more precious than words could ever convey. Always remember my Dad's smile.

Thanks so much from the bottom of my heart,
Denise (Walter's daughter)

How grateful I am to Denise for sharing with me the story of her Dad's last months. Even though I only spent a few hours with Walter, his two sons, son-in-law (Denise's husband), grandson (Denise's son), and daughter-in-law, that man's joyful, loving spirit will always stay with me. Maybe my photos touched Walter but just being in his presence was a privilege. Don't worry, Denise, I will never forget your Dad's smile.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

New York City, September 11-15, 2012

I went to NYC to meet with David Drake, my book publisher from Cardiff, Wales. He was in New York to attend Helen Sear's book launch and Klompching Gallery opening. David and Fotogallery had published her book, "Inside the View," this year. Of course I also took a few photos as I scooted around the City.

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Wall Street
Occupy Wall Street on Broadway at Wall Street
9/11/12 concert at (Le) Poisson Rouge with ACME performing Steve Reich works including the World Premiere of WTC 9/11 all-live version
GQ & Nordstrom Mens Store Fashion Week bash. They invited me to come inside so I could get better pictures.
Scooting back to my lower Manhattan hotel via the Hudson River Park
Fashion Week at Lincoln Center Plaza
Fashion Week at Lincoln Center Plaza. Check out the shoes.
Strand Bookstore...not to be missed!
My publisher David Drake relaxing after we had worked on an initial edit and sequencing of my book, "Falling Into Place." The book is scheduled to be released in May 2013.
In the East Village after eating at a Venezuelan restaurant with my electronic music DJ buddies, illich and luis
In the meatpacking district on our way to an EM dance club. I got back to my hotel at 3:40 am that night. Grandma Techno was doin' her thing!