Flowers in remembrance
I was talking about my grandfather on my mum's side yesterday at work; it was a conversation about family, losing them, and how they have influenced us. We were all in agreement that usually we don't know how much influence they are having until much later in life, particularly when it comes to grandparents.
Later on I was thinking about what I'd said, how fondly I spoke of my grandfather and the impressive list of things he had done in his life, how difficult it had been and how he'd triumphed - or so he told me one day when we were speaking about life and what makes up a good one. He had a family, had survived through two world wars and...well, I don't want to go into listing all the things he'd done; he was content with it though.
He passed away when I was eighteen and I missed him immediately...and regretted all the time I could have spent with him but did not, and I was plagued by those thoughts for a long time; I still am sometimes. Having said that, the overarching feeling I have is one of great respect, fondness and happiness knowing how much like him I am. He was a good grandfather and I treasure the moments I had with him.
When I think of him many things come to mind but always three particular things stand out, hobbies of his: Woodwork, playing music and photography. He was good at all of them, and a lot of other things besides, and I have very fond memories of times spent with him as he engaged in each.
One of his passions was taking photos of flowers and despite not all of them coming out as planned he did a good job.
He was often found wandering around taking photos of them and later he'd be in his darkroom processing them...As a little kid I'd be around somewhere, underfoot, walking along holding his hand and when in the darkroom sitting on my stool watching. They were good times and just like all good times they are very much missed.
I never met my grandfather on my dad's side so my grandfather on my mum's was pretty special to me and yet I can recall many times I could have been with him and was not; what a stupid kid I was, but as a kid I guess I wasn't to know right?
Anyway, I take some photos now and then...I don't think of myself as a photographer, just someone with a camera, and occasionally I get a decent photo. Because I spend a lot of time in the outdoors many of my photos feature nature and many are of flowers because I find them interesting and beautiful like my grandfather did.
In this post is a collection of a few of the photos I've taken - they aren't especially good photos and there's probably nothing at all special about them, but I like to think my grandfather would look at them and smile knowing he was one of the reasons I picked up a camera and chose to emulate what he did in my own non-professional way.
I have so many more but I think what I have shared is ample. Each represent a tiny moment of my life, the time it takes for a camera shutter to open and close, but they're more than that. The moments trace back to someone else's shutter opening and closing and the photos it captured, my grandfather; more than the photography though is the moments I shared with him which are truly special to me.
I imagine my grandfather saying, Mr.Chips, you've taken some nice photos, as he places his hand on my shoulder in that reassuring way grandfathers do. It's a nice thought which makes me feel quite connected to him right now.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Every image in this post is my own.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III was used to capture these images.
My grandpa on my mom's side died when I was very young so I don't really have too many memories of him. My dad's side of the family we weren't quite as close with. Now they live quite a ways away. It's good you were able to make some memories even if you think they weren't enough. Some of us don't get that chance.
Yeah, it's important to make the best of every situation as one never knows when it may change or disappear altogether. I have some really great memories to keep for sure, a shame I was never to meet my dad's father but life is like that sometimes right?
Yes it is. It's crazy how little control we have sometimes.
U know something, if is in ur present in ur memory and remember him with honor, going to live for ever. 💌
Yep, I agree with that. ✅
They are beautiful photos, very well done, a thousand times better than my photos. The good thing is that you were able to share with your grandfather. My grandmother was everything to me, she was my second mom, she was the one who took care of me and raised me. We only recognize the true value of our loved ones when they are already with us.
It sounds like you have some wonderful memories of your grandmother and that she's been special to you and pivotal to your life. I think that's how it should be, that those who came before us help us move forward into life.
Thanks for your comment.
So many amazing colours dude!
While of course you could have totally spent more time with your family, you also have to go out and live your own life and have your own adventures and make mistakes to learn from... I'm sure he treasured the time you did spend together. I'm very impressed he had his own darkroom, that's amazing.
You're right, and he would have said the same thing of course. We had a good time when he was around and it's those moments I carry forward.
As for the darkroom,he built it himself and spent a lot of time there with his hobby. He wasn't the best at it but enjoyed it and that's what counts right?
Thanks for your comments, I appreciate it.
Quite good pictures actually and I'm sure your grandfather would be proud he had at least some subconscious influence, if not more. I also have very fond memories of my paternal grandfather, never met my maternal grandfather. I'd like to hope I can have some positive memories on my kids, and maybe even the grandkids on my wife's side. Love the pics and the thoughts behind them.
K
Grandparents are pretty valuable, especially right now because they hold values that are fast becoming obsolete, you know: Manners, courtesy, good work ethic and all.
These days, here at least, they're also playing more of a parenting role as the parents are often both working. Of course, that's not to mention the financial support they often give because their own kids have not made sound decisions, over-extended and all.
Thanks for your comments on my images, I reckon grandad was have called them bonza. (Australian slang for good, from back in the day.)
That seems to be a common feeling yet despite knowing that this is how we're going to feel at the end (as adults when we theoretically knowe better anyway), we just continue...not?
I feel similar about my maternal grandmother who passed away just last year.
I reckon your grandfather would have loved the flower photos :) And they are beautiful even if "nothing special". Though I have to ask, were you holding some of them to stop them from moving, for size comparison or pretending you were going to pick them? XD
Yep, I reckon as adults we all hold a little regret about what could have been, missed opportunity when we were kids. I suppose that's part of the process, like it or not. This is why it's important to remember, to keep those times alive through memories.
As for holding those flowers...they wanted to run away so I had to keep them captive.
Given how terrifying plants are and having seen mobile plants in Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare the idea of mobile plants is...well...terrifying XD
Haha! Let's hope it's not true...but keep your eyes peeled just in case.
A touching tribute to your grandfather, beautifully capturing cherished memories and the influence he had on your love for photography. The flower photos are a lovely homage.
Thank you for your favourable comment on my shits and in general, I appreciate it.
It's touching the way you talk about your grandfather and it goes to show the level of closeness between you too.
I'm also sure that seeing these beautiful photos of Nature, he would give you a well deserved pat on the back.
He and I were much the same in character and got along really well. I miss him and often think about some aspect of growing up with him around.
These are amazing shots, I also love to take shots of nature, it's really pleasant to the eyes, the colours especially.
This is also a great tribute to your grandpa, we do not know how much impact they have on us until we are much older, maybe that was why you also loved photography.
Have a great day.
Thanks, I like the colours too, and the shapes and all...nature is pretty clever I think huh?
Grandparents are really great and beautiful people. For all the treats and pamperings I got from them, I really miss them, now I have none left.
I understand your longing, I have been there too, rather rever in the knowledge that you were the best of friends.
Did you have long with your grandparents around and what was one of your favourite memories?
One of my grandmother's lived with us till she died. My Mother's Mom precisely and I just grew up seeing her around me, I was sixteen when she died.
I have so many fond memories but this one is the one I love the most; my school was not very far from my house so she would stay by the gate waiting for my siblings and I to close so she would take us home. At home, she would already have made lunch for us. She did this consistently for years then one day, I was about fifteen, I closed from school and for the first time, she wasn't by the gate, I knew something was wrong so I rushed home. She had been rushed to the hospital because she had tummy ache, she struggled with that sickness until she died a year later. She never picked my siblings and I from school ever again.
There's still a raw spot for this pain.
Pretty cool, you're lucky to have such good memories. ✅
These are wonderful photos. I think your grandfather would have liked it, especially since you do it in part because of him. I really like the variety of flowers you have taken, and the different colors there are. We usually bring flowers when we visit our dearly departed, and this post is perfect when remembering your grandfather.
Thanks, I like them too...I mean, I don't think they're anything super special from a photographic perspective, but I had fun taking them and I think they look ok.
Hola, Galen, me gustaron las fotografías y las referencias a tus abuelos. De las fotografías me ha gustado mucho una con un gran cielo azul posado sobre una alfombra de flores amarillas. El hablar de tus abuelos me traen muy buenos recuerdos de los míos. También vivieron tiempos difíciles, una guerra civil, hambre, cárcel..., y supieron vivir, formar una familia, y transmitirnos buenos valores.
Saludos
I figure this is a nice comment because all of yours are, but I don't read Spanish. Thanks anyway.
😁 Yes it's a nice comment, made in a few days a bit stressful... at this time I wanted to catch up HIve ...(sorry).
I repeat, now in English...
Hi Galen, I liked the photographs and the references to your grandparents. Of the photographs I really liked one with a big blue sky perched on a carpet of yellow flowers. Talking about your grandparents brings back very good memories of mine. They also lived difficult times, a civil war, hunger, jail..., and they knew how to live, form a family, and transmit good values to us.
Greetings
Oh yeah, that's a canola field (rape seed) which we have plenty of here. It's beautiful to see rolling hills filled with the yellow flowers and they contrast nicely against the blue skies.
Grandparents are a way for us to reach many years back to when things were different and I think there's great value in it and many lessons if a person is willing to see and accept them. I was, and am pleased to have had that link to the past as I feel like I'm a more complete person because of it.
So that natural talent you have derives from your grandfather, how fabulous. I was reading and imagining situations, don't blame yourself for the moments you weren't with him, you had a lot of good ones to remember.
My grandfather loved photography and especially landscape and travel photography... he passed away when I was 7.
Thanks for the great pictures they are all beautiful!
Thanks, I like the shots I get mostly...except for the multitudes of them that are terrible! Lol.
I didn't see those terrible ones, I can't give my opinion... sure they are terrible?😄
Someday I hope to be just someone who presses a button like you, those photos are a visual delight, the way you speak of your grandfather, he would have been more than proud of those photos. It's a very nice way to remember someone who left a mark on you, those photos could easily be in an exhibition in any gallery. Great work Mate! 👏🏻👏🏻
My grandfather was a pretty legit dude, lived an enviable life...not because he had money and things, but because he did things and passed what he'd learned on down the line. I'm grateful.
Wow, you've captured beautiful photos showing a variety of colors that catch everyone's eyes. It's like you're influenced by one of the hobbies of your grandfather and it's nice to think that you have inspiration behind that photos. I like the closure you had with your grandfather🥺
Thank you, for your nice comments and for reading in the first place. I appreciate it.