Vancouver Wedding Photographer || Ophelia Photography

On Friday June 4th 2010 I received a phone call from my Uncle Scott letting me know my grandfather passed away.   As I held my baby niece Harlow I felt my heart ache.  The kind of heart ache you can only feel when you loss someone.   About 6 weeks earlier, I found out my grandfather had cancer and although he believed he would concur it…..he never did.    So as I held Harlow and she giggled and pointed to the dogs outside I was struck with too thoughts.   One being how incredible sad I was that I was not able to say goodbye in person, and the other being thankful that I was not alone in this moment.  Harlow, my sweet baby niece was their for me to hold and smile at even through my tears.   Even in the midst of tragic circumstances, we are not alone.

The next morning my mom, dad, brother and myself boarded a flight for Charlotte Town Prince Edward Island.   When we arrived it was raining, and we had to exit the plane onto the runway.  My brother perfectly described it as something from a movie, as the rain was just that intense perfection of greyness.    That is how I got to first see P.E.I, under the clouds and through the greyness.  Yet I could still look in awe at the lush green rolling hills and red dirt fields, manicured lawns and character homes.

Whisked off to my cousin Jimmy cabin, without internet, TV, Starbucks, I was left without distraction.  And although, I have to admit I was feeling stressed about it at first, the break was welcome and very needed.   When I did get reception, and let my friends and clients know where I was and that I would be off for the week, they were so very supportive and just amazing.   As a photographer your worst fear can be something like this, as you really don’t have a replacement.    I knew I had to be in Lacombe Alberta by Friday for Niki and Rommels wedding, and I was!  (You will see that post very soon, and lets just say these two made me cry and cry and smile and laugh all day long.)

While in Prince Edward Island, I got to see the place my father grew up.  I got to see many things and be struck by many wonderful thoughts and threads that tied my family together.  My Scottish Heritage, my love for all things vintage, why I ate so many potatoes growing up.  I got to see Anne of Green Gables, Cavendish, Red Sand and Dirt (Very difficult to get out of socks I may add) the one and only Starbucks in Charlotte Town and ate about 12 lobsters.   I spent an extraordinary amount of time with my nuclear family (brother, mom, dad and me) as our significant others sadly could not make the trip.   Even though we were together for what was longer then we have been since our vacation to Disneyland in 1995 we really and truly enjoyed each-others company.     We also enjoyed the company and hospitality of our family, whom we also shared many fabulous meals and laughs and great conversations with.
I want to share with you my photos I took and my reflection speech I gave at my grandfather funeral service.  I was not asked but I struck with the notion that I had to.   In photography I am often struck with an image or concept that I must shoot for a client and most of the time it comes to flurishion.   I call these things “my visions”.   Now before you go thinking I am crazy (lol) and maybe I am a little, I believe that everyone has “visions” and if you really tune into them you will know what to do with your life when they appear.    It may come in the form of art, written word, charitable event, or music.    Mine this time was in the form of word.  Which for me was not something that I have done since 2006.  I used to journal everyday, and once I picked up a camera, the words seemingly left me.  I am sometimes at a loss for what to write in my blog posts, but while back there I think I may have gotten it back…..here goes.

My reflection speech at my grandfathers funeral.

Hello my name is Lisa and I am Eston and Ruth’s granddaughter.    This morning while I sat on the beach of our cousin Jimmy’s property a few things came to mind that I would like to share.

When I arrived here on Saturday I began to feel like I knew very little about my grandfather.  I was very sad about the loss, but mostly about the lack of opportunity to get to know him better. While my mind raced it was not until I was near the shore of the Atlantic that I was struck with the thought that the knowledge of my grandfather has been weaved through the generations.

I know that he grew up on “the island” and that he loved the outdoors.  I know he had a distinctive laugh and a twinkle in his eye.  I know that he made his livelihood off carpentry and lobster fishing.  I know he loved to talk, tell stories and jokes.  I also know he LOVED to eat.

My own father Garth shares a similar distinctive laugh, and from what I hear from others shares the distinctive twinkle of the eye.  My dad grew up here in PEI and left at 19 for another island entirely across the country (Vancouver island).  He loves fishing and being outdoors.  He has a fever of delight for food and can talk talk talk!

My brother Michael grew up and lives on “the other island”.  He is a natural born fisherman, and as a small child he caught a fish that weighed more then he did!  It is in his blood to catch fish, prawns and halibut.  Michael is a carpenter who also loves good food and laughing.

Michael’s daughter Harlow who is turning 1 this month got her first lifejacket last month, and is now ready for her first fishing trip.  Harlow has an outgoing personality and will definitely love to talk!  She tried prawns a few weeks back and ate them with fearless abandon.  She really and truly loves food and eating.

Me. Well I too love to eat and grew up fishing with my dad and brother and have a Strong passion for Conversation.  My mom always told me “your such a Ramsay!”

These are the traits that bind us.  The love for island life and living, good food, laughter and lots of conversation

Just as the smell of warm baked bread reminds me of my grandmother Ruth, lobster the sound of my dads laugh, will always bring memories of my grandfather.

All the miles that separated us disappear when we honour our similarities.  We are island people through and through.  And although it’s been 25 years since I been back here, the island of red sand,potatoes, lobster, Anne of Green Gables, and my grandparents will forever be with me.

Thank you