I got a call early Saturday morning on my cell phone, so early that it woke me up...I didn’t get a chance to answer it, but after listening to the voicemail I discovered that it was my dad calling me from Los Angeles..He had forgotten to leave me a phone number where he was, but luckily I have caller ID so I was able to call him back...he arrived unannounced, as he seems to be doing so many times lately with everyone in his life.

He still hasn’t moved in with me...I’m not sure if he will now, although I kept trying to get him to stay for at least a few days with me. And he still doesn’t have his own place...he seems reluctant to settle down. *sigh*... While he was here, we talked for a long while in his hotel room..late Saturday night until early in the morning Sunday. Yes, some of it was rather paranoid talk.. ...yet most of it was normal and so very enjoyable. Listening to him tell me what’s on his mind, what his views are, what his perceptions tend to be, is a memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life...

While we talked (or rather, while he talked and I listened...and easily so), I quietly took photos of him, trying to capture the moment, to capture what this man is like when he knows he has an appreciative and loving audience, which all of us in my family are when it comes to him. I don't think he realized I was taking his photo...




Just wanted to share that captured experience, since I’ve shared so much already with everyone here....

I can see some of you in your dad mate!

althom said:

big time!!

How sweet! How wonderfultageous dat u captured such a moment!!

for you hun...

That's such a blessing, on so many levels.


Thanks, B.

Thanks for sharing that Byron.

He seems like quite a character-just like his son.



(Father/son Cokes possible as well?)

Natisse said:

Thx for sharing Byron

Your dad looks like a wise man, Byron (and I can see the family resemblence!)
I'm so glad that he's finally there to see you. It must be frustrating that he's not made up his mind about staying I hope for the best for you and if you need to talk, I'm here, ok?
Please keep us all updated.

What a wonderful collage of pics of your father. Hopefully things will fall into place in time

Thank you!

How beautiful!

I have also been trying to get closer to my father this year. He turned 70 in June and he and I have always had a rather volatile and stubborn relationship with one another. We've both mellowed over time though .. and I've started to realise he won't be around forever. I want to get to know him while I still can, otherwise I'll always have regrets about the relationship that never really was.

We're finding common ground and I think are both realising that we clash so often because we're so similar. We're gaining a new-found respect for one another.

Thanks for sharing Byron ... it's made me reflect on what my own father means to me too.

whats really cool is

you sometimes show that picture of your dad holding you as a newborn

and damn i see his face in both shots


thanks for sharing this my friend
[Edited 11/16/04 4:41am]

Thanks for sharing, Byron!

They are excellent shots Byron, you will cherish those and the memories they provoke for ever. Thanks for sharing, hope everything works out for the best.

awesome pics

Look at the history in that face, the life it has lived! The expression in his movement..

Incredibly beautiful pictures..

Thanks, everyone...

The first photo in the third row...that one shows him laughing. I wish I had captured more of him laughing (he and I laugh a LOT when we're together)...

Byron,

Truely ..beautiful shots and the wonderful memories you'll have for a lifetime..
I am sure Dad enjoyed the visit the 2 of you had.

Cherish all the beautiful moments had, and to come yet.

's and ..To you and Dad.

I just wanna grab his cheeks and smooch him..

Byron.

your dad looks like a very wise and intelligent man of which im sure he is, i sincerely hope that when im your fathers age that I have that same wisdom and intelligence as him. as i see he has passed on to you through blood.cherish every moment with him every chance you get man.kinda reminds me of my grandfather.

Byron.

your dad looks like a very wise and intelligent man of which im sure he is, i sincerely hope that when im your fathers age that I have that same wisdom and intelligence as him. as i see he has passed on to you through blood.cherish every moment with him every chance you get man.kinda reminds me of my grandfather.

those are wonderful pictures.

treasure your time with him byron

imprint these times on your memory


I lost my dad 3 years ago and I still replay the conversations, songs and scriptures we read together that last night.


treasure this time byron



thanks for sharing

Beautiful pics, Byron

Very cool Byron.

There is so much character and dignity that shines through your father's photos. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to spend some time with him.

Sweeny79 said:

Thank you, sweetie..

Everyone has already said all the things I wanted to say, so I'll just ask the question I'm dying to know the answer to - how did he not know you were taking photos?

Natsume said:

lol...Well, My camera has a swivel lens, so I can place the camera on my lap or on a table, and tilt the LCD screen up towards my face so I can see if he's in the viewfinder...My father most likely doesn't think you're taking photos if the camera isn't being held up to your face. Also, my shutter release is relatively quiet, so I doubt he heard it when I snapped a shot...lastly, I had turned off the flash so that it wouldn't distract him...so I just kept snapping away as he talked.

Byron said:

That makes total sense. I was wondering if you had some specialized camera, because all I know are the point/shoot/click kinds and I was confused. heh. thanks for sharing the photos, though. they're very sweet.