3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Connecticut

Day 39/365: Night Trees and Snow

by

Day 39: Night Snow in the Trees
Day 39: Snow and Peace

At 1:30 am I walked out of Hartford Hospital feeling numb, exhausted, overwhelmed, and into a surreal environment that did not match my previous fifteen hours. The day started with a morning meeting with my Mothers health care team in the neuro-intensive care floor and ended in the hospital chapel as my Mother was received into heaven into the loving arms of Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior.

The physical difference of the machine dominated room compared to the scene that welcomed me outside made me stop and take a deep breath. Snow fell gently to the ground and I was transfixed. I stood and stared at the wonder around me that looked unreal, pristine, and untouched.

I was alone, not a person in sight, and a great sense of peace and calm overcame me as I lifted my face to the sky and gave thanks to God for His many blessings.  It was only then I felt whole again and not torn or anxious.

God’s reminders are everywhere, His messages are found in unexpected places and unexpected times. This time is was a quiet snowy night, outside the hospital doors.

Day 38/365: Time, waiting…

by

Day 38: Time, waiting

Don’t wait until time runs out to tell those you love everything that is on your heart and mind. There may not be enough time. You may find yourself waiting and waiting for more time that will never come. Time is precious, hug those around you, kiss your children, don’t take friends for granted, there may not be time later.

There may not be a tomorrow, you may not even have till the end of the day, and your time will be cut short. Some days stretch into eternity, never to end, while others pass by in a blink of an eye. Don’t wish for time to pass by quickly, you might want it back later,… to say goodbye,.. to say I love you,.. and peace be with you.

In Memory of Virginia Tyrrell 10/28/31 to 1/07/11

Day 37/365: Airplane Sunset

by

Day 37: Airplane Sunset

My Mother always loved taking pictures of sunsets on top of the clouds when she would fly. She didn’t travel often, only out to see her Mother in Oklahoma really, but I thought of her as I took these pictures overlooking the wing of a Frontier Airlines on the  Milwaukee WI to Hartford CT section of my trip.  It was a peaceful beginning to a very stressful and hectic week.

Day 12/365: Vintage Santa

by

If this vintage Santa looks like he was singed by a smoky fire, he was, a long time ago in the early 1970’s.  This Santa lived in Warehouse Point Connecticut in my God Mother’s house.  Granny (Alice) Turcotte was a wonderful women and starting in her 50’s took in foster kids that few others had the patience and love to give. Each had either a mental or physical challenge. Some stayed a few days, or weeks, others stayed their entire lives.

One night her collie,  Lollipop, started barking. A fire had been started in a trash can in the upstairs bathroom by one of the kids playing with matches. Smoke quickly filled the two story house. Lollipop went to each of the bedrooms and woke everyone up. She literally saved their lives. I was quite young at the time and I remember Christmas was held downstairs that year while the upstairs was being remodeled.

This vintage Santa survived the fire and Granny Turcotte said the the soot on his beard served as reminder of the miracle that year that God was watching out for his children. Santa sits out at my house to remind me of Granny Turcotte, her faith, and the unselfish love she showed toward others. I  miss her and wish I could spend a Sunday afternoon at her house again.

Day 12: Vintage Santa