The Last of a Summer Photo Challenge

I have to admit that I surprised even myself.  With a photo challenge.  Not the challenge part exactly, as I am usually up for a challenge.  But with the photo part of this challenge.  Taking pictures is not exactly my thing (which is honestly what made it a challenge for me) but, nevertheless, a couple of months ago I decided to join some ladies over at This West London Life for a Photo Hunt.  For the last few months, we have been working our way through fifteen different prompts.  Looking for photo opportunities.  I posted my first two here and here.  Today, I have the final photos.  My photography skills certainly have not improved one bit but I will admit, I have had fun looking for chances and places to take these pictures.

I will say, upfront, some of these photos are a bit…well, different.  A couple of weeks ago, I spent the morning at the cemetery.  It was Tyler’s birthday.  As expected, I was bit melancholy but the cemetery is, quite often, very calming to me.  I felt encouraged…even a bit inspired.  But pensive all at the same.  It is an odd feeling and hard to explain, but it does explain a couple of my photos.  Hopefully.  I suppose with a photo challenge there are no correct or incorrect photos.  Let’s just push on – or crack on as my friends at This West London Life might say:)

mark the passing of time –

I was so intriqued with this urn of flowers at the cemetery.  I stared at them for the longest of time.  How long had it been since they were placed there?  Would anyone return to remove and/or replace them?  Where were the loved ones – far away?  close by? – and what might be prolonging their coming?  Beautiful flowers but now (seemingly) forgotten.  I suppose time does that in so many ways and, yes, there are days my mama’s heart worries that my sweet buddy is not well remembered by many but, that morning, I was encouraged to still be there.  Still able to visit. I know not everyone has that ability.  Truthfully, my thoughts went down quite a few rabbit trails that morning – all from an urn of brown and withered flowers.  And so, I included the picture today.

something that casts a shadow – 

Don’t tune me out completely just yet.  I’m not trying to be too deep but I also took this photo while at the cemetery that morning.  We planted this tree the year after Tyler died.  It was just a few twigs of a thing and, although it gave pretty flowers, it really provided no relief from the sun when I would visit.  And I visited often in those first months.  But look at it now!  It has weathered storms and withstood time and now gives shade to such a large space.  I was comforted and, again, encouraged.  I hope I have weathered storms and continued to grow and bloom in a way that will be a blessing to those around me.  Just a thought.  (And no more inspiration from a cemetery.)

moving water – 

One night, shortly before I went to Panama, we had a terrible thunderstorm.  The lightning.  The thunder.  The torrential rain that beat against the house.  I awoke thinking we were surely going to be blown away.  The next morning, the calm had returned.  No wind.  No rain.  But there was alot of water to run off.  One of the creeks that I pass while walking was full to overflowing.  This isn’t the best photo to really show how the water was rushing…but I climbed over a gaurd rail and down and wet, slippery grass in order to take it…so this photo remains!

a favorite summer food – 

So, let’s end this post with a smile.  A huge ice cream smile.  Nothing says summer like ice cream.  And when it is hot (like Panama hot!), a cold ice cream sundae is even sweeter!!  I have to confess a friend took this photo.  The one I took did not nearly capture the glee.  I just want to end with a smile.  And ice cream. I am going to miss ice cream!  Thanks for reading along.  And thanks, Ruth, for the photo hunt and the link-up!!