 |
| Photo by Sue Rosoff |
Yes, I am aware that the song is "September Morn." But this isn't that kind of song...or, I guess, post.
On September 1st, 2025, my father-in-law, Jerry, died. This happened after a couple weeks in the hospital; in-home hospice care; and, finally, a week in a hospice facility. He had slipped into unconsciousness a few days before passing.
So many wonderful things have been shared on social media and other internet sites about him. Many touching upon his career as a rodeo photography. He was truly talented. His work was back when there was no digital cameras that could capture 1,000s of shots without fear of using up film on a bad one. He had an film camera with 36 shots to try not to waste. His camera wasn't an auto-load or auto-focus. Jerry was in the ring, right with the riders, fighters, clowns, and bulls and broncs. He managed to time things perfectly to get the shot lined up and in focus to become a legendary rodeo photographer.
All of that is incredible and fascinating to me. But, I will miss the personal life we had with him. I can still hear him say, "Oh, really?" with a tilt of his head when someone had knowledge about something or another to tell. Or, "Well, alright" said with a congratulatory smile when good news was shared. If you were enthusiastic about something, he was right there with you. He wanted to know all the things he could. Jerry was filled with curiosity.
Mostly, though, I will miss the love he had for all of us, his family.
