We had a friend from France staying with us last month and since she had never set foot in the Northwest, we took her sightseeing. Her visit coincided with some medical events for me though, so that all we could take were short day trips. She nevertheless fell in love with what she saw and said she wished more people in France and across the world knew that there was more to the United States than soaring glass towers, plastic-wrapped food, urban blight and gun violence.
On this day which marks the ten-month anniversary of one of my adopted country’s darkest moments, a horrific event which claimed the lives of twenty first-graders, including our grandson, and of six of the grown-ups working at their school, I want to share some of the light of this other America. I don’t remember whether or not our little grandson liked beets (probably not although he was rather adventurous taste-wise), but he loved bread (with no butter on it), garlic, pumpkins and butterflies, and he loved color. He also greatly enjoyed walking the drift logs when he visited the beach in West Seattle. These images are for him.
Superbes photos.
Merci, AC!
Merci, AC !
Elequent as always, MC. My heart still aches for Noah, you, your family.
Thank you, Craig. It is a comfort to know you share our grief.
You have a talent MC, you know how to draw people in where we crave more of what u have to say or more pics we want to see. Im truly sorry for your loss I think of him every single day. Beautiful innocent child..
Thank you. I find a degree of solace in words and pics and I am glad it helps others as well.
Thanks for the great photos of the Pacific NW. It really is pretty there. Time goes by too fast, but when you are grieving, perhaps it goes very slowly. I think of Noah often and we all share our grief and feelings on FB. You have a talent, MC for writing and storytelling. My best to your family and your recovery and good health.
Best, Eileen
Thank you, Eileen. Your good wishes go straight to my heart.
MC,
Thanks for the photos. All stunning though the cabbage photo totally captivated me for some reason. Guess the colors caught me off guard which is a good thing because it slowed me down – to look, to drink in all the beauty and reflect on life's abundance which is around us all the time – even where we least expect to find it. Photos have a way of doing that to me and you have a great talent at capturing just the right shot through your lens. I soooo appreciate you sharing here and adding this beauty to my day!
Take Care,
Janet
Thank you, Janet! I love the colors on the cabbage too…
Wow!!! those are gorgeous and beautiful pictures!!! some of them are so calmnig, so relaxing, another ones are so artistic!!! and some
others, gourmet pictures!!!
But the one I liked the most, it is the one from Noah, you know? he seems so alive, and it is because it is alive in your heart, his beautiful, and immaculate soul is in your heart, beating in your heart, and at each beat, telling you he loves you, and that every thing is fine. We all love you here, and pray always for you.
We never get tired of seen pictures of your Beautiful and Gorgeous Angel. Peace to you and many Blessings too
Thank you, ledu1000! Yes, Noah looks so alive on his pictures and that's both such a joy and such sorrow.
Not only are the photos for him, he took them with him having been there and seen them first hand. Noah knows that he was and is loved and is missed so much. So many people who never knew him miss him greatly. I and so many others pray for you, your family and all the other families constantly and will forever. We pray for Noah's soul and for your and your family's well being. I pray that you can be healthy and live a long life and that when your time comes Noah will greet you with open arms. Be well MC.
Thank you, Phil. You are absolutely right, Noah knew he was loved. That too is a great source of comfort.
MC,
Beautiful. I live on the east coast, in a town called Trumbull. Very close to Newtown. As we get more and more into fall, the colors are getting to be the pinks and hot orange. I am so sorry my kids can't enjoy it with Noah. God Bless his soul and your family.
Thinking of you and your family on this sad day, and everyday.
He will always be a part of my family.
Fall is indeed gorgeous in CT. It seems so unfair indeed that Noah can't enjoy this one and do what kids normally do in Newtown when Halloween is just around the corner. Thank you for your warm thoughts.
MC, what great photos. I send prayers for healing to you. There are so many beautiful things about America, thank you for letting us see some of them through your lens.
It is Eid holidays here in Dubai & a time to rest & reflect on family & be thankful for all our blessings. We consider hearing about & seeing pictures of Noah to be one of those blessings & your blog too.
I think the comments here today are just lovely.
Julia
That is so sweet, Julia. Thank you! So kind of you to accompany us at every step from so far away…
Dear MC,
The way you view and capture life is simple beautiful. I wish nothing but good things for such a beautiful lady herself!!
Erin G.
Thank you, Erin.
Amazing colors, captures & that butterfly!!
I wonder if it was on its way down the coast and just resting there…
So breathtaking. You captured the essence beautifully.
Thank you, Takisha!
Je suis sûre que Noah va aimer tes photos, bises
Ça, ça me fait super plaisir! Bisous à toi aussi, MC
Beautiful photography and subject matter. You are a true artist and your words and photos speak volumes about your heart and soul.
Regards,
Ian
Dunno about that, Ian, but thank you for saying it!
Noah probably wouldn't have taken to the beets, but I'm sure he would have loved the pumpkins and the butterfly. Evocative photos, some look just like the coast of Maine.
Washington State often reminds me of Scandinavia too… There is something powerful to the marriage of mountain and see.
MC – You truly do have a talent with both words and pictures. I love the pumpkins; October is my favorite month as I love fall. I think about Noah every day. It is amazing that he has drawn so many people to him and to you. We all love you guys.
God Bless.
Peace and Love,
Eric
Burke VA
Thank you, Eric. I am grateful to you for steadfastly accompanying us on this journey…
Your photos are beautiful and I think of you often and your family and friends. When the seasons change and one looks at beauty and light and colour and wishes to share it with people who are no longer here it can be heartbreaking. Sending love Joanna
Your photos are lovely MC! Sometimes we just have to take a break from the hustle and bustle of our every day lives to stop and admire the beauty in the small things.
Thinking of you.
Leah