I had a very weird/tough day. One of those days that you think you knew what to expect only to have every preconceived notion thrown out the window.

Backstory.

I went out a couple of weeks ago along the Rock River with an idea in my head of a shot I wanted. When I got to the spot I had thought would make a great a shot, I found out that it was basically impossible to get without massive Photoshoping. I am big fan of using Photoshop to help tell the story of a photograph, but I absolutely despise using it to create a photograph. So I packed up my gear and proceeded to head back to my car when I came across this spot on the river. Just one of those spots that stops photographers and instantly you can see the final photograph in your head. The only way I ended at this spot was to have my original idea I was looking for, fall apart. I had no intentions to shoot star trail photographs that night and did not have my timer with me, so all I could do was take a few test shots and get a rough idea of how it would turn out. And then wait for a clear night.

Back to today. I went to a memorial service for a former co-worker today in Batavia, he was lovingly know as Old Man Jim. When I started working with him in 98′ he was about 812 years old then, thus the Old Man name. I rode with some co-workers out there and we talked about many things, most of the hilarious moments at our old work. Old Man Jim showed up every day, did his job, smiled, laughed and went home. His two must have accessories with him were always his suspenders and glasses case in the pocket of shirt. Sounds like the regular retired happy Old Man you can find at most retail stores. Not this one though, so we all came to find out.

Old Man Jim grew up on rural farm in Illinois that was know a place you could visit during the the Great Depression if you needed a meal. Old Man graduated as Valedictorian of his High School class in 1942. Old Man went straight to the Army’s 541st Ordinance and was there at both the storming of the beaches of Normandy, France and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Old Man finished his time in the Army and only put 25 years in at Allstate Insurance. Old Man retired from Allstate in 1987 so he could work part time at both Office Depot and Ace Hardware. Oh, and Old Man was married to Betty for 60 years as well.

The ride home was much different.

So here I sit on this park bench listening to my camera shutter click every 30 seconds, having the wind blow right through me because it got a whole lot colder than I thought, all the while keeping my eye on this goose that is about 15′ feet away from me. I sit here with a different perspective, a different outlook and I am not going to lie, some questions about my own life. Much like me finding this spot for my photograph, some things in life can not be thought through and when you do think you have it figured out, life sometimes makes sure it falls apart in front of you. At that moment you have a choice. Either way, you have to “pack up your gear and move on” but what happens next is truly a matter of your perspective and outlook.

“I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when life is done” ~ Old Man Jim