Goodbye, Old Friend.

It’s never easy to say good-bye to an old and trusted friend. I am talking about the kind of friend that has traveled to far reaches of the world with you and stood next to your side when you experienced some of the most memorable moments of your life. But that is what I am doing now. I am saying good-bye to just such a friend: my Nikon D-90 camera.

In the beginning, as we got to know each other and grew in our friendship, my Nikon and I explored far and wide our home province of Newfoundland. From beautiful rocky coasts to majestic creatures we stood together in awe at what stood before us, building and sharing memories of one of the most beautiful places we have been blessed to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2010 my Nikon and I hopped onto a plane and jetted off to Korea determined to see and experience the world. And oh, did we see, and oh, did we experience. From the mega cities of Seoul and Tokyo, to the bright and myriad lights of Hong Kong, and the jungles of South East Asia, we embraced and loved a world of which we had both long dreamed. We marveled at the intricate and detailed craftsmanship of great temples in their palatial surroundings and seaside haunts.

 

 

So many beautiful places have we seen, places that have                                                                                                                                                     brought us great joy. Like the waterfall in which we                                                                                                                                                                   swam as the fish nibbled our feet.

Kwangsi Waterfall, Laos

 

 

But there was also great sadness, as we stood solemnly in the shadow of a monument that gives mute testimony to the horrors that people are capable, the Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima. Truly we were blessed to see such things as these.

 

Eventually we returned home but we knew then that something wasn’t quite right. I guess we had really known for some time. The relationship had grown stale. The spark was gone. We no longer felt the same joy from simple things: a sleeping cat, or an old woman bumming cigarettes.

We fought to find that special something we used to have but it was never going to come back. We had one last farewell tour together where we found our peace in a smiling child and a place that had once hosted Vikings.

We saw and experienced and shared joy one last time. And then, it was over.

Goodbye my old friend. Thank you for the memories.