Nothing spotlights the impacts from Covid more than holidays. Holidays are usually a time for family's to get together, even families that don't get along, can usually hold it together through a meal, well at least until the pumpkin pie is served. This year, many families will be apart, taking the safe route, ensuring older and venerable relatives are not put at risk. For many families, it will also be a painful reminder of those lost, family members who won't re-join the party, when the coast is clear.
There have been many family holidays, when I didn't go home. I often chose to spend them with friends, and my various families of choice. My parents, my mother especially was never happy when occurred. I understood, but sometimes self preservation is the healthiest choice. Usually, when this occurred, I made a point of getting home just before or after the holiday. To have a small celebration, without the entire brood to deal with.
There has only been one holiday however, where the choice whether to be home was not my own. It was the only family centred holiday, that I was forced to spend alone. Most Christmas's, I try to get home a day or two before the big day. I liked arriving early, and then heading home, right after. This particular year, I my best couple friends, were having a Christmas Ever party. I made plans to attend, and head home early the next morning.
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Best laid plans... When I awoke the morning of the 25th, there were flurries, but not enough to worry about, or alter my plans. I loaded my car with gifts, my luggage, and two dogs eager for a road trip. I drove about 10 minutes in light flurries before hitting the exit to the highway. As soon as I started up the exit, I knew I was in trouble. The flurries turned to heavy, wind whipped snow. I creep along for another few minutes before realizing I had to turn back. There was hardly any cars on the road, and not a snow plow in sight. The snow was starting to get heavier, and piling up quickly on the roads.
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I slowly inched my back, and arrive home about a half hour later. My dogs jumped out of the car, eager to see my parents, who always welcomed them with treats. The took a pause when they realized we were back home, and seemed to realize this was not going to be the Christmas we all expected. I initially thought I could wait it out, and head in later in the day. The snow just coming, all through the day and through the night.
That Christmas was the worst Christmas of my life. Not really because I was alone, but because I hadn't planned to be so. There was no turkey in my fridge, no decent food really at all. No presents to unwrap, no older brother to roll my eyes at, and no wine to take the edge off. There was nothing but an undecorated house, and a tuna and cheese sandwich, to mark the occasion.
As disappointing as that Christmas was, it taught me a good lesson about taking my family, the good and the bad, for granted. It was fine to avoid them when it was my choice, but when it wasn't, the feeling was completely different. The 'I told you so' attitude from my mother, was deserved, and I took it, without arguing back. I never missed another Christmas with my family, and now that my mother's gone, regret even more, my tuna sandwich Christmas. Even when I plan to be away, I now decorate, have food in the fridge, and wine! Just in case....
When I was spending time with Lights On Studio's shots of
Hansel Wellington, in addition to enjoying their Autumnal beauty, I was struck by how at peace Hansel appeared, although alone on the porch, nothing seemed to be getting in his way of enjoying the sights and smells of the season. I'm quite sure his neighbours were also enjoying the view...
The home, actually belongs to a friend of photographer
Tom Nakielski. The Victorian home was once owned by the local banker, and Patrick, the new owner, is still in the process of restoring it. Although Patrick was a little nervous about his neighbours peeking out their windows to see a naked man in his yard, he welcomed Tom and Hansel for the Thanksgiving shoot. Tom says it was a perfect shoot, a beautiful location, and beautiful warm fall day, meaning Hansel being naked outside wasn't an issue, and any worries about shrinkage, were not a concern.
As many
FH viewers know, Tom's work, often with Hansel, has been a big part of holiday celebrations on
FH. This has certainly helped Hansel jump high up on the list of models on my
Baker's Dozen list. Check out some of my favorite shots of Hansel in his Baker's entry on the
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