I loved reading this article and seeing all of your beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing your evolving journey—as a photographer, as an artist, as a travel journalist—and as a human being. You are a beautiful person and I love your work (Mama Mia!) 👏💐
Bob, thank you so much. That truly means a lot. I’m still figuring out this next chapter as I go, but I’m grateful the work is resonating and even more grateful you took the time to write this.
Sue, we’ve only connected briefly through your work but I think the world of you, and I often do think of you and how you’re moving through the world. Knowing a tiny bit about your recent life’s journey through your travels and your photo-journalism, I am so proud of how you’ve creatively reinvented yourself at this stage in your life. What’s most impressive about you is that you’ve never given up — you continue to reimagine and reinvigorate your soul through your incredible talents behind the lens and through the penmanship of your mind.
You are certainly Alive and Well — living and creating beautiful images and writing words of wisdom and curiosity that usher goodness and greatness into the world.
I’ve thought of you again today — and your light — as my partner David & I attended a funeral and wake of a dear friend our age who died unexpectedly.
His name was Angelo and years ago while on a walk through our neighborhood I randomly walked into his non-descript-shoebox-of-a-place corner jewellery shop at the end of a parking lot down the road.
He was lovely. His energy and enthusiasm in the moment from meeting him was lovely and has never been lost on me.
I told him that I had a nice (loose) diamond that I had purchased 30 years ago when I was in my 20s and would “one day give it to the girl of my dreams.”
Then I told him that it had locked away in my parents’ safe deposit box for decades.
Intrigued, he asked me what I would like to do with it?
I then told him I would like to have it crafted into a ring for my partner, David.
Without a beat he said, “Well bring David and the diamond in and let’s have a look together.”
And so we did — and, of course, David was so excited!
Not knowing anything about Angelo’s talent or expertise, a month later he opened up his new shop across the road in a newly developed hotel area of shops and restaurants which has now a decade later, somehow become a very bespoke area of Brisbane.
Long story short he crafted the most beautiful man’s ring using an oval diamond that I’ve ever seen and in the process we all - including his wife and daughter - became wonderful friends.
When he opened up his new shop, he did so in honor of his daughter and lifetime apprentice, Angelique who ended up creating my ring.
Since their shop is only a 5 minute walk down the road we’ve always walked in regularly over the years to say hello and share hugs and a laugh or two with the both of them.
Earlier this week after Angelo’s funeral, we were late walking into his wake at a lovely restaurant a few blocks away filled with 100s of people.
Greeting us at the door was Angelique, who gave me a long, tight hug and said, “Thank you for being a light in my dad’s life.”
And there you have it.
I’m not quite the wordsmith that you are, nor do I have photographic talent that you do, but your words and your photographs sparkle — like diamonds — which are forever.
In that moment I was reminded of the Light as We Are, and the Light that We Become.
Oh Bob, this is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing Angelo’s story with me. “Thank you for being a light in my dad’s life,” says everything. Sending love to you and David as you remember your dear friend.
I loved reading this article and seeing all of your beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing your evolving journey—as a photographer, as an artist, as a travel journalist—and as a human being. You are a beautiful person and I love your work (Mama Mia!) 👏💐
Bob, thank you so much. That truly means a lot. I’m still figuring out this next chapter as I go, but I’m grateful the work is resonating and even more grateful you took the time to write this.
Sue, we’ve only connected briefly through your work but I think the world of you, and I often do think of you and how you’re moving through the world. Knowing a tiny bit about your recent life’s journey through your travels and your photo-journalism, I am so proud of how you’ve creatively reinvented yourself at this stage in your life. What’s most impressive about you is that you’ve never given up — you continue to reimagine and reinvigorate your soul through your incredible talents behind the lens and through the penmanship of your mind.
You are certainly Alive and Well — living and creating beautiful images and writing words of wisdom and curiosity that usher goodness and greatness into the world.
I see you! It’s magical — thank you 🙏 💐
Pls Keep following and sharing your heart 💜
Wow !!!
Dear Sue,
I’ve thought of you again today — and your light — as my partner David & I attended a funeral and wake of a dear friend our age who died unexpectedly.
His name was Angelo and years ago while on a walk through our neighborhood I randomly walked into his non-descript-shoebox-of-a-place corner jewellery shop at the end of a parking lot down the road.
He was lovely. His energy and enthusiasm in the moment from meeting him was lovely and has never been lost on me.
I told him that I had a nice (loose) diamond that I had purchased 30 years ago when I was in my 20s and would “one day give it to the girl of my dreams.”
Then I told him that it had locked away in my parents’ safe deposit box for decades.
Intrigued, he asked me what I would like to do with it?
I then told him I would like to have it crafted into a ring for my partner, David.
Without a beat he said, “Well bring David and the diamond in and let’s have a look together.”
And so we did — and, of course, David was so excited!
Not knowing anything about Angelo’s talent or expertise, a month later he opened up his new shop across the road in a newly developed hotel area of shops and restaurants which has now a decade later, somehow become a very bespoke area of Brisbane.
Long story short he crafted the most beautiful man’s ring using an oval diamond that I’ve ever seen and in the process we all - including his wife and daughter - became wonderful friends.
When he opened up his new shop, he did so in honor of his daughter and lifetime apprentice, Angelique who ended up creating my ring.
Since their shop is only a 5 minute walk down the road we’ve always walked in regularly over the years to say hello and share hugs and a laugh or two with the both of them.
Earlier this week after Angelo’s funeral, we were late walking into his wake at a lovely restaurant a few blocks away filled with 100s of people.
Greeting us at the door was Angelique, who gave me a long, tight hug and said, “Thank you for being a light in my dad’s life.”
And there you have it.
I’m not quite the wordsmith that you are, nor do I have photographic talent that you do, but your words and your photographs sparkle — like diamonds — which are forever.
In that moment I was reminded of the Light as We Are, and the Light that We Become.
xx
Oh Bob, this is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing Angelo’s story with me. “Thank you for being a light in my dad’s life,” says everything. Sending love to you and David as you remember your dear friend.