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CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 10:15 PM Aug 2024

Today marks 8 months since my dear friend AndyS died.

It is also the day that the moon is in first quarter. I took the photo you see here in his honor. He taught me so much about life, love and photography. It is a debt that can never be repaid, nor would I want to.

8 months seems like 8 years. Memories are slippery things; some days they're bright and vivid; other days they hardly register. Some days I can laugh and some days I am so down that it seems as though I'll always be there.

But very slowly, I am getting used to the fact that he's gone and I must cope without his wisdom.


30 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Today marks 8 months since my dear friend AndyS died. (Original Post) CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 OP
What a beautiful way to remember him. MontanaMama Aug 2024 #1
Thank you so much, my dear MontanaMama . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #4
💫 blm Aug 2024 #2
Thank you, my dear blm . . . for your empathy and understanding. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #6
Wonderful tribute! Permanut Aug 2024 #3
Thanks so much, my dear Permanut . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #7
That moon shot is a beautiful tribute to AndyS wendyb-NC Aug 2024 #5
Thank you so much, my dear wendyb-NC . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #8
Sending you hugs, dear CalPeg. MLAA Aug 2024 #9
Awwww .... Thank you so much for your kindness, my dear MLAA! CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #10
Wonderful tribute to AndyS. LoisB Aug 2024 #11
Thank you so much, my dear LoisB . . . He meant a lot to DU. He was magical. ♥ CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #12
I agree. LoisB Aug 2024 #13
I can feel your sadness and melancoly....so sorry for you! young_at_heart Aug 2024 #14
I thank you so much, my dear young_at_heart . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #16
An amazing photo and an enduring testament to amazing friend. Doodley Aug 2024 #15
Thank you so much, my dear Doodley . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #17
We are very lucky if we have somebody in our lives who can have an impact on us like Andy did to you. I spent a long Doodley Aug 2024 #26
Thank you, my dear Doodley, for your wisdom. CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #27
hugs my friend proud patriot Aug 2024 #18
Thank you for your beautiful hugs, my dear proud patriot . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #21
Beautiful Photo/Beautiful Words CP Rubyshoo Aug 2024 #19
Thank you, my dear Rubyshoo . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #22
This place isn't the same without him. Grumpy Old Guy Aug 2024 #20
Thank you so much, my dear Grumpy . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #23
Hugs for you and your loss, Peggy Bundbuster Aug 2024 #24
Thank you so much, my dear Bundbuster . . . CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #25
{hug} I think our society doesn't always get the loss of a dear friend... electric_blue68 Sep 30 #28
Thanks for your good thoughts, my dear electric_blue68! CaliforniaPeggy Sep 30 #29
You're very welcome it's People magic : ) electric_blue68 Sep 30 #30

wendyb-NC

(3,797 posts)
5. That moon shot is a beautiful tribute to AndyS
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 10:25 PM
Aug 2024

I am so sorry for your loss, he made a difference in your life, and I venture a guess to others. He sounds like someone who's light will continue to shine onward, in who he was and the gifts he shared. Peace be with you.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
8. Thank you so much, my dear wendyb-NC . . .
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 10:31 PM
Aug 2024

He always told me how much he loved my moon shots. For a long time, he wouldn't post his own in the Photo Group, because he felt that was my bailiwick! Amazing guy.

He made a huge difference to me and to the Photo Group as a whole. I hope that his light will shine on. He had many gifts!

I appreciate your lovely thoughts so much!

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
10. Awwww .... Thank you so much for your kindness, my dear MLAA!
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 11:01 PM
Aug 2024

He was so far advanced in so many fields that require vast knowledge that I could never hope to even come close to helping continue his legacy.

All I can really do is remind people that he lived and loved and always worked to increase our awareness of life.

young_at_heart

(3,852 posts)
14. I can feel your sadness and melancoly....so sorry for you!
Mon Aug 12, 2024, 11:50 PM
Aug 2024

I think when we reach our "golden years" life becomes deeper and more precious. Your statement about feeling so down that you'll always be there spoke to me tonight. I'm at that place now, trying to figure out the best way to manage my husband's cancer. I'm struggling to cope and I take inspiration from you and others here at DU. I joined when I felt outrage with George W and the GOP (under a different name), but I mostly just read what everyone is saying. As a fellow Californian, I have always enjoyed your interesting posts and especially your great photographs!

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
16. I thank you so much, my dear young_at_heart . . .
Tue Aug 13, 2024, 12:02 AM
Aug 2024

Glad I can inspire you. I'm not always down, of course, but when the date rolls around when I lost him, then I can't help it.

I am glad you enjoy my photos! Knowing that the things Andy taught me and that made me a better photographer helps me cope with the loss.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
17. Thank you so much, my dear Doodley . . .
Tue Aug 13, 2024, 12:04 AM
Aug 2024

Your lovely words make me feel less alone. Andy was truly magical in photography, writing and in life!

Doodley

(10,360 posts)
26. We are very lucky if we have somebody in our lives who can have an impact on us like Andy did to you. I spent a long
Tue Aug 13, 2024, 12:56 PM
Aug 2024

time looking at your photo and saw things I have never seen before and felt things I hadn't before. I am very sorry for your loss.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
27. Thank you, my dear Doodley, for your wisdom.
Wed Aug 14, 2024, 10:08 PM
Aug 2024

Sorry I didn't see your response till today, when I was on my phone.

He sure did have a huge impact in my life, and for that I will always be grateful. He saw things in me that I'd never seen.

And I appreciate your telling me that you spent a long time looking at my photo, where you saw and felt things you hadn't before. Those are remarkable responses! You've got great sensitivity and I hope it will always help you.

Thank you again for your wisdom and your insight.

Grumpy Old Guy

(3,551 posts)
20. This place isn't the same without him.
Tue Aug 13, 2024, 12:47 AM
Aug 2024

We could always count on his wisdom, experience and kindness. He left us way too soon.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
23. Thank you so much, my dear Grumpy . . .
Tue Aug 13, 2024, 01:01 AM
Aug 2024

He brought so much clarity and joy and meaning to all of us. I feel the loss very keenly.

I'm so glad you came by tonight.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
25. Thank you so much, my dear Bundbuster . . .
Tue Aug 13, 2024, 01:20 AM
Aug 2024

I know Andy would want me to be happy . . . but how can I be when he was so much a part of that?

Thank you for understanding! It really helps. His life was truly worth remembering . . .

electric_blue68

(17,977 posts)
28. {hug} I think our society doesn't always get the loss of a dear friend...
Mon Sep 30, 2024, 01:42 AM
Sep 30

It's been about 15 yrs now for one of my longer friendships about 30+ years.

We had a lot of similar interests. Besides hanging out at many, many rock concerts w others good friends; we shared love for art, crafts, Indian food, science fiction, and 👍 liberal politics, and more.

I think of her alot, bc there's much to remind me about her. You're just 8 months in. It's a big absence.
Bit by bit.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,069 posts)
29. Thanks for your good thoughts, my dear electric_blue68!
Mon Sep 30, 2024, 07:53 AM
Sep 30

I think you're onto something when you talk about society doesn't get the loss of a dear friend. I didn't lose a spouse or a sibling.

He was just a friend.

And he was central to my life! We hit it off from the start. How do you explain that? I never could. As you said, it's a big absence.

Thanks so much!

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