Ashley, a 6-year-old diabetic

This past week I had an assignment to spend an afternoon photographing Ashley, a 6-year-old diabetic. The pictures will be used in the Children's Diabetes Foundation pledge book. This was the third photographic encounter I've had with her, and we usually meet at The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. But this time I visited Ashley at her home. Ashley lives a pretty normal life, thanks to her doctors. She is a healthy first grader who likes to play ice hockey, and her favorite team is the University of Denver Pioneers.
Her 11-month-old puppy, Conner, sits in the front window each afternoon waiting for her to arrive home from school. If you would like to see a slideshow CLICK HERE: Ashley All of our slideshows require flash player. Download a free version here: flash player
Cheers, Kent

Jim Meyers Montana Memorial

Last week Geri and I traveled to Kalispell, Montana, for her father's memorial service. It was like many other previous trips, flying from Denver International Airport to Salt Lake City and then on to Kalispell. We met Geri's sister, Melani, at the SLC airport. She was carrying Jim's cremains. It was the beginning of a tough, heartfelt week. If you would like to see a slideshow CLICK HERE: Memorial All of our slideshows require flash player. Download a free version here: flash player
It was strange being a guest in Jim and Pat's home now that both of them are gone. On the first night, the four sisters read sympathy cards and letters while sitting around the diningroom table. Jackley's husband, George, arrived from Big Sandy with a handmade pine box urn. He had crafted it from fence posts that were more than 150-years-old, and had been gathered on their ranch in north-central Montana. The wood was hard, dried and weathered with a wonderful strong pine scent. It was a perfect symbol for Jim. He had lived a full life in his 84 years. He was tough, yet warm and sensitive. The girls put Jim's cremains in the new pine box and topped it with a picture of him and Pat. After a few tears, they toasted Jim with Limoncello that he and Melani had made using lemons from Melani's tree.
The next day was spent prepping for Jim's memorial service. Vicki's husband, Lee, and I met with Karla West and a collection of local musicians during their Dixieland jazz performance at a local sporting goods store, Snappy Sport Senter. Karla's group performs every Tuesday around lunchtime for about 50 people. We were to deliver the selected music to play at mass. My favorite song was, 'You Meet The Nicest People In Your Dreams.' Later that day Vicki's son, Matt, arrived from Salt Lake City with his wife, Emily, and their two children Kyle and Ellie. Vicki's daughter-in-law, Monica, flew in from North Carolina to represent Simon's family. Simon is currently serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in Afghanistan.
The memorial service was held at 12:10 p.m. and also served as the Lenten mass. Karla's ensemble played as friends, family and parishioners arrived. Many other friends and neighbors participated in the service as readers, greeters and Eucharistic ministers.
Father Vic gave a wonderful homily reiterating how much Jim cherished his family and his dog, Maggie Blair. Lee presented a verbal tribute about all the things that Jim loved. After mass the family proceeded out of the church to the basement for a reception, just as the trumpet player began to play 'taps'. We all cried and hugged without saying anything. The family stood in line to receive guests before lunch as more jazz music filled the room.
Back at the family home we took turns playing cribbage in honor of Jim. Jim was a master of the game. There is even a story about how Jim won Pat in a game of crib with his future father-in-law.
No trip to Kalispell is ever complete for Geri and me, until we visit our dear friends Howard and Mauriene Jacobson. We always enjoy sharing a cup of tea and conversation with them.
It was a difficult week filled with many emotions. I felt that Jim wanted me to document this part of his journey. Keep in touch as there will be another memorial service in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery this summer.
Kent

Jim Meyers 1922-2007

Jim Meyers was much more than a father-in-law to me.
His life began in Waite Park, Minnesota, on June 4, 1922, where he learned to hunt and fish before enlisting in the army. Jim joined the military campaign, part of which was based in northern Italy during World War II. He befriended an Italian family during that time, while he and his men protected their town and farm from the Germans. Over the years Jim and Pat made numerous visits to Italy to visit his friends. In return, members of the Galbusera, Cinotti and Bolech families have visited them in the United States.
If you would like to see a slideshow CLICK HERE: Jim Meyers All of our slideshows require flash player. Download a free version here: flash player
That's Jim's personality - he made friends easily wherever he went; often forming life-long friendships. Jim was my father-in-law, but also a friend, fishing buddy, and photo subject. He was at ease in front of my camera whether we were golfing, fishing, or working on one of his dog-themed calendars.

Jim and Maggie Blair, an English Setter, proved to be two of my all-time favorite subjects. Jim spent Christmas 2004 with Geri and I. He showed up with Maggie, a three-month-old puppy. I had no idea what a powerful photo story was about to unfold - like Jim, Blair is a natural in front of a camera and whenever they were together wonderful pictures were made.
Jim was always a ladies man around Pat or his four daughters: Vicki, Jackley, Geri and Melani. He was also a man's man - hunting, fishing, golfing or playing cards and cribbage with his buddies.
I was introduced to many of Jim and Pat's friends when Geri and I were married at St. Mathew's Catholic Church in 1995. Over the years I came to know more friends and neighbors through various social and leisure activities, such as going house-to-house singing Christmas carols, hiking in Glacier National Park, or fishing in Canada.
Two-and-a-half years ago when Pat passed away, I realized how their church community and community of friends grew into a complete circle - from the time Geri and I were married until Pat's memorial mass. Jim passed away Friday, February 23, in Gilbert, Arizona, and on Wednesday, March 14, his life will be celebrated.
Jim and Pat were enthusiastic jazz fans. In fact, Pat requested that Karla West and her band play during her memorial mass. I am sure they will be performing again at Jim's memorial.
Jim is missed everyday, but he has left us with a circle of friends and relationships that will continue well into the future.

Thank you for the life lessons, buddy. Love ya, Kent