Lost Time ∞

You can’t begin to tell the story behind your most meaningful image without putting your innermost feelings on display for the world to see. Even as I write, I have not yet decided if anyone will ever see this. Grief is a lonely emotion. After my mother lost her battle with cancer at 42 years of age, my father seemed to find some measure of comfort in alcohol. He did his best to keep life moving forward for his children, but as his oldest son, I had more weight on my shoulders than I could handle. Or maybe I never dealt with my own loss. Either way, things turned nasty one night and I hurt him both physically and mentally. Eight years went by before we saw each other again. We’ve never discussed that night, and I don’t think we ever will, but we’ve been able to rebuild our relationship even so. My little boy arrived in March this year and whenever my father is back in Ireland we use his grandchild as an excuse to get together. My dad was taken into the hospital yesterday, and I thought of my regret for the night we fought, the eight lost years, and all the things that have gone unsaid. This may not be my best photograph (and I pray it is not the last I take of Dad), but I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to take it.

This image was taken with a Canon EOS 40D.