Lives Lived Mostly with “Absence of Light.”

Nostalgia lurks again today.  It seems my present is often both blessed and clouded with the past: and a continuing wish to write about a mother’s life as I am immersed in her letters. Memories of family gone, sepia photos of ancestors.  Or moments of loves lost and minutes of sad– along with hearty laughter or drippy tears. This history is the stuff of all humankind, the microcosms that bring meaning and appreciation for our lives and those whose genes we carry.  I remembered the great aunt who must have had a disturbed life and hung herself. I am angered that our nation doesn’t provide more care for mental illness. This made me do a repeat “look-and-see” at the Northern State Hospital book, subtitled “Absence of Light,”  a photo collection produced by our Skagit Valley Camera Club. On the first page, I was drawn again to the privileges we experienced with instructor Dick Garvey, whose tribute I posted on FB a while back. Some of my images are shared in this blog.

The larger experience was our individual take on what happened inside of us as we aimed our cameras at desolation, peeling paint, deserted cow stalls or glorious stained-glass windows in a silent chapel. We found weeds imbedded in barred windows, yellowed prescriptions, old patient records, lobotomy apparatus and lonely chairs.  My discovery of a book with the title “No Hiding Place” (which was used on the book’s cover) summarized it all.

Amidst the abandonment, loneliness and isolation, I marveled at what those mental patients would have also seen to bring them a chance at some peace: what else other than nature itself.  Beauty in stately grounds, massive trees and flowers were there.

I believe anyone looking at these historic images will be moved by them.  Here is a link to the Blurb book you can preview and buy.

http://www.blurb.com/b/987154-northern-state-hospital‎