heart – Page 3 – Black and White

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Chris

Christopher Robin visit Glendale

Chris and Austin

Austin graduates

Christopher and Dylan at Austin’s wedding. In the blink of an eye. Christopher, a kind, gentle, skilled and wonderful man. Farewell.

boots

Sophie walking across Maryland — Sophie had sensitive feet. Particularly she struggled with the rock salt we’d encounter in Providence. The boots in this case were to protect super flimsy tent floor…

ten years

basset warrenton hallway — My sister Gray Coale made her exit a decade ago. So much to do, so little time. Be busy.

Walking Lewes to Brighton, 2004

bill and Atlas

a boy and his dog — Bassets were my sisters passion. She was introduced to the hounds young and loved them forever. Everyone that loved Gray was partnered with/tethered to a hound. It was an unspoken rule. It was her wish. It was made to happen. No questions, no discussion. Oh what is that tricolor beast emerging from yon oyster shell? Miraculous ears and feet, flag and voice, bounding hound of joy.

My Heart Leaps Up
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.–Wm.Wordsworth

100 years

100 years goes by fast

Bill became an adult at a young age. Circumstances required that of him. He loved his state, his family and friends. He was devoted to VMI. In habitual serious mode, pictured here in the barracks: Phillips, Forbes, Emory, Marshall, Bartenstein, circa 1940.

Helen and Sophia

girl asleep in chair — The birds have all flown. But traces remain. Sophia looking in on Helen’s dream? Or less charitably, nosing Helen awake so she can reclaim the chair.

Robin

twenty-something

Robin

Eva's watch station.

Sophia Exeunt

Sophie died five years ago today. We’d been on our morning walk. Back at the house she died.

dog hole

She lay in state for the day in her nest next to the window.

Friends came to visit, say one last goodbye. Tears were shed.

Sophie went the distance, she was almost 16.

We buried her at sunset, planted a quercus robur on top her grave.

This photo was taken November 17, 2015, the last made while she was alive.