Lately I've been thinking about what image would be appropriate for the last day of my 2009 PAD gallery. I was visiting my mother this afteroon at the Saint John Neumann Nursing Home and thankfully brought my camera with me. During the course of the New Year's Eve Party at the Home (held at 2 PM since most residents will be in bed and asleep by 8 PM tonight) I took a lot of pictures of the residents during the festivities. While moving around the room and shooting, it struck me how the little things made the residents happy.......some cake, ice cream, soft drinks, party hats, noisemakers and also familiar music and sing-a-longs. I stopped in front of Elizabeth (today's PAD subject and one of my mother's friends at the Home) and asked her to pose for a quick picture. She graciously complied and I showed her the image on the back of my camera. She really got excited at seeing her picture right away so I told her that I would make some print copies for her. She told me she only needs one print since she is the last of her family, no living relatives at all. I sat down and thought about that.....last of the family.....no relatives. Right there I made my first resolution for 2010. I will make it a point to socialize more with Elizabeth in future visits to the Home. Naturally, Elizabeth is the star of today's PAD image.
NOTE: When visiting my mother at the Home on Friday, May 13, 2011 I found out that Elizabeth had passed away two days earlier. May she rest in peace.