First Day of the Dead Since My Son Left Us

Twelve days ago, we buried my son, Rulon "Lonnie" Henderson. His smile was legendary as was his kindness to strangers as much as to friends. Nineteen days ago, he left us for his new work elsewhere in the Universe.

These nineteen days have been the most difficult of my life so I deeply want to thank all of you who have made Lonnie's passing a bit easier by the incredible outpouring of your love and support. Mostly I am still speechless though some of you know that photography is my hobby -- one that Lonnie fully encouraged. 

From the moment I fell to the ground when the State Trooper gave me the horrible news, I became incapable of making even an acceptable snap shot -- nor did I have any desire to do even that much. But my granddaughter will need memories of this time when her family gathered around her to lift her up in her pain and her silent wondering about how such a thing could even happen to the uncle she loved so much -- so I had to try.

Then, while visiting Lonnie's grave the afternoon of Halloween, I felt that familiar urge to make a picture. Not that I had brought a camera for such a visit mind you! Then I realized that I DID have the iPhone Lonnie had encouraged me to purchased and I hesitantly took it out of my pocket. At first, I just took a picture from a distance, but that style of photography is not my usual one so I moved in closer for the photo above.

Earlier in the week, my granddaughter Justice had visited Lonnie's grave with his partner Ellyn. Together they brought flowers, but Justice also wanted to place a crayon with her Uncle Lonnie. Suddenly, that little crayon grabbed my interest and this photo was made:

For those of you who may have some Christian feeling, this photo -- which contrasts life and death -- may bring you some comfort:

Feel free to download any of these files for use on your digital media. They are not correct for printing though.

Justice is having a show!

Just wanted you all to know that my 7 year old granddaughter is having an art show, together with her teacher, Devon Lawless. It is being held at the Lily Pad Gallery on North St. in Willimantic, CT during the month of September. An artist reception is planned for Thursday, Sept. 11th from 5-7. Come on down if you possibly can! If not, add a comment below so I can share it with Justice and Devon, OK?

At 10 o'clock on the flyer is Justice's "Flying Cat in a Sack with Sixteen Wings." At 6 o'clock is her second attempt at drawing her ballet shoe from life. The exhibit includes three versions of the shoe. "Touch and Go" by Devon is at 2 o'clock. You certainly won't be disappointed by the work of these two ladies so come on down while you can!

Because Justice loves to draw, I sought out an art teacher who would be sensitive to the fact that Justice's mother is in jail for a couple of years -- someone who could help her process her feelings about this significant loss in her life. Devon Lawless, whose own Mom passed a couple of years ago, has taken Justice under her artistic wing and provided multiple opportunities for Justice to experiment and explore with a wide variety of media including watercolors, watercolor pencils, acrylic, crayon, colored pencils and more. Sometimes they work from imagination, and sometimes from life or even with tracing paper. Together they have developed a special bond.