Quiet Grief, a photo from Acores, Islands

Photographer's Note

In the Sao Joaquim cemetery in Ponta Delgada. As I was visiting the graves of my godmother and my grandparents, I saw a few people gathered in this area. When they left this older gentleman came with his flower sat awhile smoking his pipe, and then arranged his flowers, stayed awhile. Later I saw him walking away, with such dignity.

PLEASE NOTE, I received via e-mail this information, from this Gentle man's son. I am so very thankful for it, please the dismiss the info on the discussion.

My name's ******* and I'm from S.Miguel, Azores. I
saw your photo called Quiet Grief and I recognized
the man on it: he's my father. I read the comments
and some people said he was there because of a dead
son. In fact, he goes to the cemetery every morning
to visit his wife, Silvina, who was born in Povoaçăo.
His sons are all alive and I'm one of them. He also
has 9 grandchildren and his oldest grand-daughter had
a baby 2 years ago. He's 86 years old but he's OK,
still visiting his wife every single day.
Thank you fot the atention. I just thought I should
tell you the truth.

These are sad times for the world and for the TE community. We all grieve for the natural tragedy which recently happened. Because of TE my world appears to be smaller than before because I now have a more personal connection with other countries, with other cultures, with my fellow humans.
As sad and concerned as we are let this grief and sadness be a vehicle to the opportunity to help, and because of our grief we can bring hope to the ones left in OUR world.
Cropped, levels, color adjustment, brightness contrast.

Rinie_Hoff, Zanni, pridel, pamastro, dsidwell, nofer, bnallama, xuaxo oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

Zanni (6108) 2004-12-29 3:24

A touching imagine, a touching note.

Rinie_Hoff (9340) 2004-12-29 3:55

Thanks Christina, this is a nice offering in times like this, simple, and I like it that there are some photos visible.
I wish a little bit more of the face would be visible.
Update: after reading your message, I regretted what I wrote, it's not important, your picture is strong.

cloverstar (0) 2004-12-30 10:37

My thoughts go out to all those people who have been affected by the tsunami that has caused so much devastation across South East Asia.

A very nice tribute.

dsidwell (9783) 2005-01-05 10:47

I just love the random look to this, and the man hidden by the markers. This is one of your best, Cristina.

Jeppe (18654) 2005-01-08 16:05

Thanks for this view and the note to follow - your capture of this noble gentlemen also done with dignity - Thanks for showing us the life in Portugal - a fine way to remember the Victums.

cgrindahl (6113) 2005-01-25 3:01

I started a critique of this image when you first posted it, but became distracted and forgot to submit it. I really appreciate this image, as well as your note. I've never seen a cemetary like this with the small tributes to the person buried there. We see a man's photo in the background at the right edge, even as we see the profile of this older gentleman with a pipe hanging from his lips as he tends a grave. His wife who passed ahead of him perhaps? Very touching and very well executed. Fine work Cristina, clearly done from the heart.

pamastro (7296) 2005-03-14 0:53

I thought I had commented on this but I think now I just had it open and got busy. I like your description of the man. It seems to suit the scene very well. Perhaps someone he greatly loved and perhaps he comes everyday to visit the spot in quiet solitude sharing a few moments of the past. Your capture through the crosses like this adds to that feel of solitude with and sharing the moment in his mind with the memories of the person he is visiting. Nicely captured, Cristina, offering him the solitude of the moment through your distance.

ccooper (840) 2005-06-01 22:17

Cristina,
This photo touches me deeply! I feel for him and wonder who he is grieving and his story. I like how he is only partially visible so that are not completely invading his privacy. Truly wonderful. Bravo again!

bnallama (3763) 2006-03-03 9:26

Wonderful story.... thanks for the update! Bala

xuaxo (6854) 2007-10-26 13:37

Olá Cristina,
Por coincidęncia, nestes dias de tragédia na Califórnia, encontrei esta tua foto tăo significativa da dor de alguém.
Acho que ficou bem que o senhor năo esteja completamente visível, pois é um momento e um lugar privado para ele.
Muito interessante teres incluido a informaçăo do seu filho.

Suponho que os fogos năo tęm afectado a tua zona. De qualquer modo desejo que te encontres bem, assim como todos os teus familiares e amigos, em especial no sul da Califórnia.
Um abraço,
Francisco