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memorial

Apr 08
Love0

Memorial Video of Charles Hughes

By Charles Hughes, memorial
This was the memorial video that was played at my father’s funeral, and replayed on the one year anniversary of his passing.

I made it with the help of my nephew, Justin who helped me scour the photo albums for the right shots. During the funeral, the video was accompanied by beautiful live music that Justin played on his guitar. Unfortunately, I did not have clean recording of that, so I replaced it with a powerful song sung buy Annie Lenox with music by Howard Shore. The lyrics fit…

In case the video does not come through in email, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r47-EDM93II

“Into The West”

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You’ve come to journey’s end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You’re only sleeping

[Chorus]What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don’t say: «We have come now to the end»
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again

And you’ll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

[Chorus]

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

Aug 03
Love0

Time to Say Goodbye to Nonna

By Jason Caponi, Masqueman Photography, memorial
As a photographer, I believe that I am a keeper of sacred images. As hokey as that sounds, you never know which will be the last frame you will snap of someone you love or another family’s cherished matriarch.
This was the case of Joan Mitchell Jenkins who passed away this week after several years of fighting life-threatening diseases. I would like to celebrate what I knew about her.
When I met Joan, she was already battling debilitating health issues. This was extremely difficult for her, but I never heard her complain about it.  Instead what I saw was a complete dedication to her daughter’s family including a special granddaughter.
I have rarely seen such devotion to grandchildren (excluding my own Mother who is at the top of the heap). Joan loved little Alessandra fiercely and it brought her great joy to be with her.
Over the years, I would take photos of little Alessandra and Nonna would often be there.  Some of my favorite photos are from her first birthday. These two share the same look.
To get all three generations of women together was incredible. Alessandra was teething and it would have taken hot sauce on her fingers to keep her hands out of her mouth, but it does not matter. The moment was recorded.
The last photo I took of Nonna and Alessandra together was ironically on the day before my own father died. This weighed heavily on me as I took this last photo of the two together… not knowing if there would be another opportunity like this.
Nonna probably would hate being seen in her pink cap and oxygen lines, but to me, this photo is a powerful reminder of how her world revolved around her granddaughter. Maybe this will become a reminder to an older Alessandra when she thinks about her Nonna.
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