A few days ago I got a message from Shoebox telling me to download my photographs because the company was going out of business and the images were scheduled for deletion.
This was surprising. I do not remember Shoebox.
I managed to log in and discovered thousands of photographs I had thought long lost. Nearly every moment Amy and I photographed at home or traveling in our time together.
My memory is kind of unusual in that I can remember moments so clearly that I can sort of rewind the tape in my brain and watch it all over again. Not just images but tastes, textures, emotions and things like that. Because of this I was not worried about losing this archive . . . but rolling through the pictures has been nice.
I look forward to the day when these photographs and memories will not hurt so bad, but I fear that will be a long time coming.
Patrick, hang in there. The pain will ease with time. All the wonderful memories will remain. There’s a song I’ve found comforting in similar situations— How Can I Help You Say Goodbye by Patty Loveless. Maybe too sad right now, I don’t know. Thanks again for all you do for us and for your continuing example of courage.