~and the time was well spent~

The time was full and well spent.  It flew by at record speed and although I am thankful that we made it here for the Christmas holidays, it will be with a tinge of sadness in my heart that we must go back to Colorado in the early morning hours tomorrow.

The time has come to say "see you again sometime" as we make our way along the road towards the Great American West.

Someone mentioned to me a couple of weeks back that it seemed as if I took a lot of pictures these days and I told them that they were indeed correct.  I am always carrying a camera around with me of some sort and most generally speaking I take several pictures a day.  For me, it's a way to preserve "life" and the accompanying memories that go with it.  I photograph lots of people, places and things that I come across.  Oh, and one other thing.  I allow myself to be in the pictures many times as well.  It's important to do that and here is why.

I knew a woman once who refused to be in pictures, always having some excuse as to why she didn't want her picture taken.  It was for a wide variety of reasons including the standard ones like her hair was a mess or she had put on too many pounds.  When she passed away several years back her children had very few pictures to remember their mother by.  That was most unfortunate.  I vowed from that moment in time that I would not allow that happen to me and my children.  Even though the images captured through the lens of the camera might not mean as much to my own kids now, they more than likely will be quite important in the years that lie ahead.  So I take pictures.  Lots of them.

When I get back to Montrose in the next few days, I will more than likely look at the snapshots of life here in Kansas that I took.  I will smile to see them as I remember my family and friends who still remain here in the midwestern part of America.  If I added up the numbers correctly, I was able to take about 350 pictures during the week that we have have been here.  The following are some of my favorite ones.  

Dear Kansas I love you and your fine people so much and I always will.  Sometime soon I will come back to see you once again.  Thanks dear friends and family for the wonderful time here with you!

The laughter of family members on Christmas Day at Haven.  

Taking Otis the "moose on the loose" to the Kansas Cosmosphere for a visit.

Seeing my hometown once again.

Spending time with Renfro Family members at church in Haven.

Enjoy a suppertime meal with Scott Family members at Ken's Pizza in Hutchinson.

And perhaps the most meaningful photo of all......Remembering the sign that tells me that the road goes both ways~east AND west!