Passing of a friend

This morning at 4:30 my friend Ron died.

Ron contracted a blood disease a few years ago and after a long bout of suffering has gone on to be with the Lord.

I'm grieving today for a life cut short. A husband and father of two taken out of this world before what we would all consider to be his time.

Ron is part of a family that I grew up with. The Martin's came to my father's church when I was in late elementary school. They were a "huge" family to me with their 5 children. We soon became fast friends and spent many vacations together, camping trips, church, swam in their pool, hung out at their cottage on the lake. I worked and vacationed with Ron's sister, went to the junior/senior banquet with Ron's brother. Our lives were intertwined. Ron tried to teach me how to water ski - a hopeless cause for sure. Boy, could he ski - I loved riding in the boat watching. He could whip the snot out of the volleyball and was not to be tangled with. A great athlete and a great person.

I've been gone from NJ for many years, and in many ways have lost touch with the family - although my folks have kept in very close contact and relationship with the Martins. Time and distance change many things, but they don't change our hearts towards those we love.

Ron is with the Lord now. His long suffering is over, but his loss will be felt for many years in the hearts of his loved ones.

Here's a small piece of irony...tomorrow is my birthday. The day that I'm going to celebrate another year of life, health and love. On the day that I celebrate my life, I will be grieving the loss of another. in fact, there is not a July 4 that goes by that I don't remember the great times with the Martin's on the lake, boating, swimming, shooting off fireworks... Life is so fleeting...

I am a photographer because I value people. I document a moment of their lives and preserve it for generations. We are all made in the image of God and we are intertwined with each other in life and in death. When our loved ones are taken from us (and it's ALWAYS too soon), our memories begin to fade. It's the photographs that keep their image before us, trigger our memories and keep them alive in our hearts.

So today my wish is that you give your child that extra hug, extra kiss and tell them how much you love them. Call a friend you haven't spoken to in years. Don't let the busy-ness of life, the economic situation or the daily stresses take you away from what really matters.

anne