This is not the end...

It has been a few months since the last time I posted. Needless to say, the reason for not posting is because my father lost his battle to Pancreatic cancer on June 1st. I've thought about writing this post many times, and always found it too difficult, or there were no words to be written. I always think about what I should and shouldn't include in the post. I'm still not completely sure. We'll both find out in a minute.

Aside from being one of the hardest periods of my life, there were some pretty amazing things that happened after his death. About a week prior to his death, our church, the church my dad grew up in, held our last service. Our church was being dismantled and our building given to another, more well attended church. However, when it came to planning the funeral, we were at a loss. The one ideal location was gone and all the backups seemed wrong. I contacted the last preacher of our church, the one before her, and the preacher of the church moving in and explained our situation. I was aware that remodeling to our church building was to start soon, so this was a long shot. Everyone was so kind and helpful in making things come together and we were able to hold the service at the church. My father's funeral was the last thing that Hyde Park United Methodist Church ever did. And that would have meant a great deal to my dad, as it did to me.

All I can think about now is the little things I'll miss. The places we ate together, the way he said "hi" to me, or just the little weird bits of knowledge he had. It is strange to meet new people and realize that they will never have the opportunity to meet him. I just hope part of him lives on in me. There is never a day where I don't think about him. It's just such a strange thing to experience and to realize the permanence of the new reality.

All I can say is this is not the end. Not for me, not for the photographs, and not for the cranes. This project is all about him, it has just shifted in its purpose. These cranes are his, the ones already made and the ones to come. I've already mentioned how I am not the best with words. So the only way to express myself to other through this period of my life is in photographs. This is only supplemental. I don't know if this post makes any sense or if it is just ramblings, but this post needed to be done. Thank you everyone.