Anthology, body from Don Ford on Vimeo.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Anthology, body
It's been long overdue and I will update this post later with the story behind this collaboration with Old Earth, but for now I hope you enjoy "Anthology, body".
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Sobering Perspective
For several years now my Uncle Steve has wanted to document the memoirs of his Stepfather, my Stepgrandfather, for the family legacy. Last weekend we got together and finally video taped my now 94 year-old Stepgrandfather, Arthur Rhyne. Though he is technically my Stepgrandfather I have always known him as Grandpa and always will. I never knew my real Grandfather because he died well before I was born. My Grandpa Art has always been there, always the soft-spoken one overshadowed by my blunt, outspoken and always opinionated Grandma Lou residing together over at 347 Washington Street in Wilmette, where I’ve spent nearly every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter since I was born.
Even though he’s been a part of my life since I was born It wasn’t until the idea of documenting his memoirs did I realize just how little I really knew about him. He has had an incredible life. To put things in perspective, he was three years old during World War I. Now I was excited to be able to hear these stories, but I also felt guilt that it was only through video taping him that I was going to discover things I have neglected to ask him over all the years that I’ve known him. The real tragedy was once my Uncle and I started taping we discovered that time and age had indeed caught up and was affecting my Grandpa’s memory more than we had anticipated. It was crushing to me because I realized that I had lost my opportunity to hear my Grandpa, in his own words describe his life to me. He was clearly confused at times; names, dates and important events did not come easy. My Grandpa has seen so much and the cruelty of old age and time has decayed much of his memory of it. All that seemed left was fragments of events and places and they sometimes became mixed up and jumbled in his answers. It was heartbreaking to see my Grandpa sitting slumped back in his armchair struggling and fighting, trying mightily to remember the life he lived. It was both frustrating and sad.
Though it may have been too late to get what my Uncle and I wanted for the family legacy on tape, I think the stimulation was good for my Grandpa. It was a nice break from the routine for him. Though it was upsetting to see my Grandpa struggle I still felt good that I was able to spend some time with him beyond the usual family gatherings and holiday events. Through it though, I realized that I have taken his time for granted. He’s always been around. He's always been a part of what's so familiar to me about going over to 347 Washington. I’ve always shaken his hand and asked him how the Cubs or Bears were doing, but now suddenly the reality that he wont always be around is setting in. It’s made me realize that the people in our lives are so important and that I do not want to take anyone for granted. I am reminded that no matter how busy I am I should always try to make time for my family and my true friends because time really is precious in this world.
Even though he’s been a part of my life since I was born It wasn’t until the idea of documenting his memoirs did I realize just how little I really knew about him. He has had an incredible life. To put things in perspective, he was three years old during World War I. Now I was excited to be able to hear these stories, but I also felt guilt that it was only through video taping him that I was going to discover things I have neglected to ask him over all the years that I’ve known him. The real tragedy was once my Uncle and I started taping we discovered that time and age had indeed caught up and was affecting my Grandpa’s memory more than we had anticipated. It was crushing to me because I realized that I had lost my opportunity to hear my Grandpa, in his own words describe his life to me. He was clearly confused at times; names, dates and important events did not come easy. My Grandpa has seen so much and the cruelty of old age and time has decayed much of his memory of it. All that seemed left was fragments of events and places and they sometimes became mixed up and jumbled in his answers. It was heartbreaking to see my Grandpa sitting slumped back in his armchair struggling and fighting, trying mightily to remember the life he lived. It was both frustrating and sad.
Though it may have been too late to get what my Uncle and I wanted for the family legacy on tape, I think the stimulation was good for my Grandpa. It was a nice break from the routine for him. Though it was upsetting to see my Grandpa struggle I still felt good that I was able to spend some time with him beyond the usual family gatherings and holiday events. Through it though, I realized that I have taken his time for granted. He’s always been around. He's always been a part of what's so familiar to me about going over to 347 Washington. I’ve always shaken his hand and asked him how the Cubs or Bears were doing, but now suddenly the reality that he wont always be around is setting in. It’s made me realize that the people in our lives are so important and that I do not want to take anyone for granted. I am reminded that no matter how busy I am I should always try to make time for my family and my true friends because time really is precious in this world.
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