My Father Is A Tree

[JAS_Photo]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5644969131_bdd05d409e_b.jpg

[Bambi]

awesome shot Jas. I love the comp and the processing. I also see that your snow is gone :)

[thoughton]

Nice framing but I think you've rotated it too much - it looks like the right edge of the tall building is vertical but everything to the left of it gets progressively more tilted.

[JAS_Photo]

Yesterday, I went on this huge long walk that included Union Cemetery, Reader Rock Garden, The Device To Root Out Evil in Ramsey, and this tree that grows in the parkade at Stampede Casino. My Dad has been much on my mind lately. He is 89, and over the last year has sunk into dementia and partly because of the dementia slipped and fell breaking his hip. Also because of the dementia and his failure to understand what happened to him, he has not cooperated with physiotherapy so has spent his day time hours in a kind of chair or daybed and he has been strapped into because he does not remember he can not walk. Recently, he started to not recognize anyone and the last week or so has been very ill. My sister, in particular has been spending a lot of time by his side. I do not live in the same city but will go up there as well after Easter Sunday. Anyway, my Dad was a 6'2' tall and strong man. He was a boxer in the army which he joined in 1939 when war was declared. He was 17. He later went overseas in 1941. He served in WWII as a rear tank gunner in Begium, France and Holland. A land mine exploding near his tank caused him to progressively lose his hearing.

While out taking photos, I talked with my sister on the phone, and the idea of this old tree, older and stronger than everything around it, representing the life force of the city occurred to me.

Because of all those thoughts - the title. Sometime while photographing the "Device" I accidently switched my camera to jpeg mode, which I did not notice until I just now went back to look at the file. So I guess, I will be going back to rephotograph the tree anyway. :) Especially now that I found that framing for the city.


http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5645167635_0b729f2c9f_b.jpg

[Bambi]

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad Jas. It's very hard to see someone so strong be eaten by such a nasty disease. I like your thinking on this and love the photos of the tree.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, Bambi. :)

[Hillbillygirl]

Very nice shot and love the story with it JAS, right from your heart and into ours. Thoughts with you in these hard times.

[Mad Aussie]

Sorry to hear about your Dad's troubles. We can't even wish him a quick recovery. I just spent the day with my Dad who is ill also ... my thoughts are with you.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, HBGirl and M.A. I appreciate it.

[asnow]

I have to admit at first I didn't understand the title, however after reading your story it makes perfect sense. I hope getting out and making lovely pictures like these will give you the strength to get through these difficult times.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks, asnow.


After work on Easter Sunday, I caught the bus up to Edmonton. My sister picked me up at the hotel that it stops at and we went directly to the hospital. We got there about 10:00 p.m. My Mom was already there. My Dad had essentially slipped into a coma on Friday and had not regained consciousness since. Someone from the family had been with him at all times. He was never alone those last few days. I was able spend some time talking to him. I told him about the tree and that I loved him. My sister and I then returned to her place, leaving my Mom with my Dad. She spent the night talking to him; singing to him; and comforting him the best she could. He passed that night at about 4:30 in the morning. She later told me, "He was waiting for you, Jackie. He knew you were coming. We told him you would be here. After you and Bonnie left, it was as if his whole body relaxed. He knew he did not have to fight anymore.

Today I got a card in the mail from the Ranchmen's Staff. They purchased a tree to be planted in the Memorial Forest in Fish Creek Park along with a granite marker with his name on it. I did not tell them about the Elm.

When I was a young child, my Mom and Dad were very poor -but here they are, looking like Hollywood royalty responding to a photo-op with the kids for the press.
My sister, Alene on the left and myself on the right.


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P.S. That is not a body in the yard, just my uncle Blackie sleeping in the sun.

[mbrager]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. It's touching that you shared the photo of him and your family, which must have been an early influence on your love of photography. Take care. Mike

[Mad Aussie]

With my own father so ill at present (both lung and heart capacity at 20%), this really hits home right now. They all have to go I know, but I'm truly sorry for your loss JAS.

[Greg_Nuspel]

I can tell his spirit lives on in you, that is all a person can ask for is to leave people who love you for who you are. You honor him well. Sorry for your loss and may your memories always bring a smile to your face.

[Bambi]

I am so sorry for your loss JAS. I can remember holding my father's hand as he died like it was yesterday. I know how hard this is. Over time the loss is lessened with the memories, but it doesn't completely go away.

[JAS_Photo]

Thanks everyone. Thankfully, he never suffered at the end and he lived a good long life.
M.A. sorry to hear of your Dad's troubles. It's a hard thing to go through.