The Twinkle Never Leaves....

This one. It shows not only the outrageously wonderful and probably traditional headgear but also captures her warm personality. Great color as usual, Emmanuel. I'm always struck how your pictures are always unmistakably you and my pictures are always unmistakably me. I think even if we used exactly the same camera, the results would be the same. We can't escape ourselves and how we see the world but then, who wants to?

My mother had told me that my uncle, Eugene's mother-in-law, Hannah,

was visiting, and that I should make time to go see her. I promised to do

so about two months ago when my mom was here. But, as these things

are wont to go, it was fits and starts from the beginning. On the day I

went by there the first time, she had gone to the hospital with her

daughter, Priscilla, Eugene's wife, and we missed each other. The next

day, I was running late from court and had to postpone. Then, last

Sunday, I was on my way over when I was told by Eugene that I had to

come a little later in the day, as one of our nieces was getting an

engagement visit, and as one of the elder relatives, I had to be there. The

fact that I was now an "elder" did not escape me, but I bundled the kids

over and went to Pleasanton where we spent two hours meeting the

prospective in-laws and, well, chewing the fat and pretending there was

any drama to the occasion. In due time, they left, and the kids were

getting restless, and the guests having departed, I was left in the kitchen

with Priscilla. I was exchanging goodbyes with her when I asked how her

mom was doing. "Well, you almost forgot to ask, and you would have left

without seeing her", she gently admonished me.

"Well, where is she?", said I with as much dignity as I could stand on.

"This way", she said, and led me to her room.

The lady was lying in bed, fully dressed, but without the headgear. She

rose to greet us, and the warmth poured from her as when you open a

window on a sunny morning. She really is breathtakingly beautiful, and I

commented on it, and I took a few pictures in her room. She laughed, a

genuine laugh that comes from her soul, then she asked about my two

boys who were running around the house raising a commotion, as usual.

Priscilla asked if I would like to photograph her in her room or outside. I

said it didn't matter, so she put on a pair of slippers and, walking with a

cane, she came into the living room, where we spent about half an hour

together.

I don't much remember what we discussed in that time, but how can I

forget her presence, he dignity, her humility, her smile? She kept asking

why I would be interested in photographing an elderly woman like her, an

"agadi nwanyi", as we say in Igbo, but I think the images rather speak

for themselves.

A very good comment by Jack. I would like to add that this is my favorite of the series, though all are excellent this has the most charm and a nice smile. A terrific write up Emmanuel. Lovely.

BR, Holger

I like a lot your last three portraits

 

Hi Emmanuel,

  Beautiful portrait with wonderful colors & happy face.  I like all three of these portrait's.  Take care, Patsy

Beautiful sunny character!