Just a few weeks ago autumn was still amidst its fragrant, natural bloom of color and leaf. Circumstance and schedule largely kept myself and the Vespa indoors engaging other worlds and foes. But Kim, Junior and I did find a few moments late one afternoon to drink in the spectacle that comes to central Pennsylvania each fall and let the autumn light wash us clean of responsibility and concern, if only for some dazzling minutes.
On the way home from an appointment, the light guided our little car towards Galbraith Gap and a corridor of land recently acquired by the Commonwealth that leads into the mountains.
Long shadows imply a rapid change in the day as the sun plummets toward the horizon. I’m convinced the transition is faster in autumn and winter. My camera watched Kim explore as Junior watched me, waiting for a tennis ball to emerge from a pocket. Funny how attention, human and canine, can be so focused and connected among a group of people.
As the remains of the day began to fade toward dusk I watched as Kim worked with her camera. She considers me the photographer in the family but that’s purely a one-sided judgement. In the art world arena she’s sold more photographs than I have. She shoots more that I do. And her relentless approach to a subject is dizzying. I’ve learned much from that approach though must confess I cannot bring the focus of mind or will to bear on any subject. It remains a goal but I suspect I don’t have the intellect or obsessive capacity for it.
Due to a chronic medical condition her productive time is limited, strangled really, to a few short hours each day. Some days less. In any good relationship people find strength in one another. How those are embodied are different, and for some perhaps unknown. It’s clear to me though. I’ve watched Kim struggle with loss and defeat, but she returns over and over in enthusiasm and desire. In the autumn light I’ve had the chance to witness the soaring of human spirit and be able to say, “Hey, that’s my wife!”.
I hope I can offer something useful in return because Junior just wants fed, played with or another biscuit…
