Monday Mood: Random Beauty and Sadness

A week ago I went into DC to wander the National Gallery of Art for a couple of hours. It was a great day for a walk, bright, clear, cool but not cold. A beautiful day. At each end of the main floor at the National Gallery there are salons, areas a couple of steps down, with a high ceiling, plants and at various times in history fountains. A photographer and a couple of assistants were directing this young lady as I entered the space.  I captured half a dozen or so images. Looking at them, this is far and away my favorite. Her looking down, just works. 

The encounter was entirely random, unplanned, and so so beauty filled. 

Slow down and observe, 

Look up and look around, 

Sometimes the greatest beauty appears randomly. 

Sadness: A dear neighbor died Friday morning.  I met Larry a year or so ago, he was the partner of the sweet bear that leads the Saturday morning water aerobics classes.  He was a local native, born and raised in Maryland, he had served in the military (Navy as a recall) then had a long career as an accountant for the department of defense. He has adult children in the area and was looking forward to the birth of a grandchild later this spring.  He was kind of quiet, with a strong sense of humor. He and Giuseppe were so happy together.  They had been regulars at our monthly LGBT community gatherings, hosting at their condo a coupe of times. (Movie night featuring "The Bird Cage" one evening.) I knew he had been unwell, bouncing from test to test, and specialist to specialist over the last few months.  The last I had heard he was in the hospital, trying to make arrangements to come home. His death was not a surprise, when I saw the email, I had that sinking feeling. And yet it brings great sadness.  It takes a while to move from the sadness of loss, to fondness at having known him.  

Hold your friends close, 

Give them a big hug while you can, 

Life is short, embrace and enjoy everyday you can.