I haven't written a blog now for a couple of weeks for which i appologise. At the beginning of January my Grandad passed away suddenly which hit me very hard. My Grandad was the biggest inspiration in my life and if it weren't for him I never would have followed my dream into photography. Whenever I bought new equipment for my camera I would run it past him first to see what he thought and usually he would know somewhere I could get something better and cheaper!
Grandad was the sort of man who would have words of wisdom for everyone and every situation, his advice was often given to you in the form of a joke but the points he made were clear and always of sound advice. He spent his younger days in the RAF fixing helicopters in Borneo from which came many stories of adventure and fun.
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| Fun and games, playing concas... |
When I was younger I remember many trips to flower shows and various museums in london. This is where my love of photography started. I would run off with his camera and start shooting away. He taught me to use the camera and all the lenses, the light metre and even how the film would be developed when we sent it off. I was fascinated by all of it and after he and Nanna bought me a camera of my own we were off!
I remember one trip to a garden particularly as there were several large hot houses there with tropical plants in. Grandad told me to watch my lens and make sure I didn't let it get cold between the rooms (it was around march some time and quite chill outside) the next greenhouse we entered the lens on his camera cracked but he didn't get mad he just laughed and said "this is why". That is what he was like, everything was a lesson to learn from.
I still have many of the photographs taken on those trips and like to look back on them, some of them are even fairly good photos!!
I will miss him dearly not only because he was my grandad but also because he was the biggest single influence in my life.
I feel sad knowing that he will not be here to see me graduate and will not be there to influence and advise all of my children but also i feel privileged that he was there for me and for a short time there for my daughter and I know that he has left a lasting impression on both our lives.
River refers to him as "gurt Grandad". he had so much patience with her and she always loved to see him and my Nan, despite being just 3 she saw him at the hospital just before he passed and will be attending the funeral next week with me, she understands what has happened and although she is obviously sad she has taken it upon herself to make sure Nanna is ok and to be there for her. This I attribute to the great teaching and influence that grandad passed to her even in their short time together, she reminds me a lot of him, always full of curiosity and quick wit.
Rest In Peace Grandad, wherever you may now be <3 xXx
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