This photo was taken in the dead of winter---January 1984--- with my first "real" camera, a Canon AE-1. My father had just given me the camera for Christmas which was very unusual for him, but it had been a very unusual Christmas for my family. You see, my mother died December 12, 1983, less than a month before this photo was taken.
This has always been my absolute favorite photo of Daddy for many reasons. It reminds me of that painful time and my father's somewhat awkward attempt to connect with me (at 19 years of age) after my mother's death by taking me to the fishing club that he had been taking me to since I could walk; as I have looked at this photo so many times over the past 25 years, I've often wondered what was going through Daddy's mind as a 56-yr-old widower and father of two daughters; the photo is also a perfect reflection of Daddy's personality, and it captures him doing what he loved best.
We didn't catch any fish that day, but I will never forget this little fishing trip, and I am so grateful it was preserved on film. The photo has become even more precious and priceless to me since Daddy's passing in 2006.
Thank you, JPG friends, for looking at this and allowing me to share my photo and the story behind it.
20 responses
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JOE FAILK gave props (19 Oct 2009):
Yes it rocks!! Vote
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Latrenia Bryant gave props (19 Oct 2009):
Great SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Santiago Padilla gave props (19 Oct 2009):
Yes. Voted!
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Syble Brabham said (19 Oct 2009):
Good photo-- Sorry to hear of your Dad tho` I voted
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Richard Knight said (20 Oct 2009):
Easy to understand why you treasure this. Voted.
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Karen Roberts gave props (21 Oct 2009):
I voted for your Daddy's photo.
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Charles gave props (21 Oct 2009):
Beautiful composition and touching narrative. Looks like your Dad used a reliable old Zebco 33. They made this reel for many years. Lovely image. Thanks for sharing.
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Shannon Ferguson said (22 Oct 2009):
fits the theme perfectly! voted. :)
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Vicky Abrams-Ogg gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Touching. I say Yeah.
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Richard Knight said (26 Oct 2009):
Came back a week later to add that this is one of the finest entries in this category that I have seen. It could not be more perfect.
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Donald Brainard gave props (29 Oct 2009):
The story wraps this up..thanks for sharing...voted.
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Bill Van Gelder said (31 Oct 2009):
A touching and beautiful photo.
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Jim Thomas gave props (31 Oct 2009):
Voted! yes!
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JamesHarmon McQuilkin gave props (2 Nov 2009):
Memorable
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Delores Thomas gave props (2 Nov 2009):
beautiful thanks for sharing the story
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Connie Moran gave props (2 Nov 2009):
Beautiful story..very nostalgic feel captured!
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Andrea Petersen gave props (3 Nov 2009):
What a treasured picture, this must be for you! It reminds me of how my late father who passed away in 2003, loved fishing...In fact he even carved them out of wood after he retired as a wheelsman on the Great Lakes. My vote!
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Justin Sheely gave props (4 Nov 2009):
(You voted "Yeah!")
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((pigotta08)) said (10 Nov 2009):
love the tones.... voted!
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Lêda Nardelli gave props (16 Nov 2009):
loved the image, loved the text!
