I really had not planned on writing tonight, but I’m home instead of being out celebrating and I didn’t know I would be as emotional about this whole New Year thing, but here I am at the computer typing my thoughts for the world to read. So here goes….
This time last year on December 31, 2013 I was also alone, but I went out and enjoyed an evening at a local establishment (which sadly is no longer open), listened to a band who was losing their lead singer to cancer, it was to be his final performance, he passed a month later. When I first arrived at my table, I was a bit upset, they didn’t seat me with anyone……I was in a huge outdoor seating area, sitting alone at a table for four and I felt really awkward and thought maybe I shouldn’t be there. You see I had just ended a four-year relationship and was determined that my life was going to be better alone than what I was enduring the last couple of years in that relationship. As I sat at my table being served a wonderful surf & turf dinner by the best waitress ever, I kept thinking “2014 will be my year”. It was quite chilly and I wasn’t really dressed for the coolness, but I endured to midnight, had a glass of champagne and toasted what was to come. A young girl came over to me and gave me a huge hug and invited me to her table, I declined, You see I was holding back tears, because I wanted her to know I was fine and really wasn’t staying much longer. I finished my glass, and took the rest of the bottle to their larger table and wished them all a Happy New Year and left. Driving home I was almost smiling at the thought that I got through the evening and I was going to be just fine.
Life simply got better, I was surrounded by friends who rallied around me and kept me encouraged in the midst of those sad few trying to discredit me and my work. I threw myself into my photography and began to pick up more and more work. I realized I was much more successful on my own and was regaining my self-confidence and finding my lost identity once again. I have talent and my photography is good and even though the gossip mongers were trying to tear me down I was surpassing my own expectations! I also picked up a new partner in my photography; my son Tommy who is incredible and he knows how to use his camera, he’s so amazingly talented and creative. We are my father’s prodigies, he would be proud of us.
Tommy allowed me to photograph him and in return I succumbed to the front of his lens as well, not an easy task for a photographer. It felt awkward and unnatural, but after a few minutes I began to enjoy the experience and really loved the images he produced of me.
As the year progressed I was able to add an incredible amount of images to my portfolio and actually had the privilege of photographing my all time favorite former Beatle Ringo Starr (bucket list).
I have had a set back or two, but I never allowed them to get the best of me, because I know I’m right where I need to be. God is in control of my life and what I am doing. My faith is unwavering. The end of the year has been trying with finding out a close friend was diagnosed with cancer, thankfully she is a fighter and it didn’t win, she did! I’ve added friends to my very small circle and I love each one of them. I also just sent a text my to my son and his response brought on the emotions. I have two incredible boys and my youngest is a lot like me in more ways than with a camera.
So here I am ending my year in a puddle of tears, yet I know 2015 is going to be even better than 2014. I will find love again this year because I’m ready and I know God is preparing someone for me, and I will be one step closer to realizing my dream of being a full-time working photographer. I am beginning the new year documenting the journey back to health of a woman in the fight for her life and hope to highlight her here in the very near future. So to all of my followers, stay tuned, it’s only going to get better. God Bless each of you, treat each moment as if it could be your last….Love, laugh, dance and sing…… 2015 is going to ROCK! Happy New Year!
Life, Love & Passion Through the Lens 