My partner in life, my partner in work, my ardent photography supporter. We traveled the world together and he always carried my photography gear, handing me lenses and filters as I worked. His last gift to me only days before his big heart suddenly used up all its beats: two new lenses just because. He was “Visualizer” on 365 so he could see what I was posting and be supportive. Photos: 0 Followers: 0 Followed: 3 (me, @Taffy, @vankrey). Favs: 108
He would have urged me to turn to photography for solace because there's a big hole in my heart.
Just dropped into 365 to read this very sad news. Seems like he was a very special kind of person. Rhoda and my condolences to you and your children Junko
Sorry for your loss and remember he is always with you with your memories and in your heart forever. Treasures you will never forget. What a wonderful man and tribute.
So very sad for you, what wonderful words & how you must miss him. To have your soulmate encouraging you in life & then to be without him is truly awful, sincere sympathies Junko. A true partner. Have courage.
I am so sorry to read this Junko, sending my deepest sympathy to you. I'm sure the love and support of your friends and family will see you through this tough time. It sounds like you all have some wonderful memories to treasure.
My thoughts are with you at this sad time. There will be a great hole in your life as you try to cope with Bill's sudden passing, but hopefully the beautiful memories and photos will help in time.
If everyone here had met Bill for even a brief time, they would add a fave to this wonderfully casual photo of him! It's so difficult to understand why so gentle a person as you are should have to deal with this loss so soon after the loss of your mother. I realize there are no answers as to "Why", but trust that those who care for you can also learn something from your loss and treat what days we have left with one another as something golden and a gift to be cherished. Our love to you from Ken and me.
I have been thinking of you Junko since I heard the terrible news! My heart breaks for you loosing such a wonderful husband who was so special to you and also to so many others. I am so glad I was able to meet him and how kind and generous he was to us visitors cooking us a fabulous lunch and being the perfect host. So many achievements in his life! Sending you all my love and hugs xxx
I lost my dh in 2011 and I still miss him. It was photography and .365 that helped me find my joy in the world again. We loved to be on the road together. I have a little item in my car That for me is him coming along for the ride. Eventually the happy memories override the sad ones.
So very sorry for your loss...From yours and Taffy's posts, he sounds like he was an exceptionally kind, caring, generous partner and friend. Take care.
Such a loss, so sudden and unexpected and so much pain for those closest to you and your Bill. Please accept my deepest condolences and a truckful of hugs. I only wish I'd been able to meet that remarkable man, but it was not to be. Love and more hugs going your way now
I offer an echo of sympathy to all those shared above. I know your sorrow must great. He sounds like such an amazing and gracious man. I only hope that you find solace in the things you love to do which he supported and know that he will always be with you in your heart and the celebration of those things. My prayers will be with you.
Dearest Junko, words seem insufficient for the huge hole in your heart. I am so sorry for your loss. Such a gifted and respected man in his field and so precious to you and yours. I am sure there will be a gaping hole for many who loved him. You continue to be in my thoughts and my prayers and I send you all my love to your aching heart.
Dear Yunko, I just read the terrible news. So sorry and close to your heart. I had not known your husband but from you and Taffy wrote he must have been a really special person. Yesterday morning, before seeing your post, I marveled at your silence on 365 and wondered if you still plan to come to Bologna in March. Has this terrible event changed your program? Or you’ll continue, although with more fatigue, your professional and photographic activities? If you come to Bologna I’d like to meet you, if it is fine with you. Let me know. A big hug to you and yours Caterina
I seem to have come to this news quite late in the day - but none the less my thoughts go out to you, your family and dear friends. I read Taffy's post and came to you to see this lovely image of a dear man. @vignouse I couldn't agree more with Richard's sentiments.
So sorry to hear of your sudden and sad loss , leaving a great void in your life . My heartfelt sympathy to you as you mourn this wonderful man and come to terms with your loss ,.take time to adjust to another phase of your life with courage - Thinking of you !
So very very sorry. The world must seem like such a cruel place. There are no words sufficient. I trust your good friendships will support you through much inevitable pain and grief.
So very sorry for your loss! He sounds and looks like a kind man! I'm glad you had him in your life and have so many travel and photographic memories to provide some comfort during this heartbreaking time... hugs!!
You have been in my thoughts every day. Every. Day. Kira and I count our true blessings we got to experience the visualizer--it was clear from moment one. We love you. I have to smile at seeing that backpack on him. I feel like a piece of me is there too. :)
So sorry to hear you that you lost your life partner, work partner and photography supporter Junko, Bill sounds like a man that will be missed by many. May your memories of him comfort you through this difficult time.
I can not imagine what you are going through. I'm so sorry for the loss of your love. Life can be so hard. Hoping the love of friends and family will help you bare this loss.
Junko, I just read your post and my heart breaks for you in this time of deep sadness at the loss of your beloved.Best wishes to you and your family in the days ahead.
I've just found out the news, Junko. I'm so very, very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how devastating this must be for you. From the photo and your words, I can see that William was such a joy to be around. You are truly in my thoughts and really hope you get all the comfort and support you need during this sad time.
Junko, I am so sorry! I saw an earlier post from Taffy about losing a friend but didn't realise it was your husband. I know how numb you must be feeling. Please accept my deepest condolences, I hope with the love of family and friends you can get through this tragic and devastating time.
@caterina@domenicododaro -- I have hardly left my house this month. I was planning to leave my field forever because it would remind me so much of being with Bill -- and we have been to Bologna together for 11 years with him missing only one. But a flurry of messages from my dear friends around the world who will all gather in Bologna reminds me that they are my friends I would only get to see if I go to Bologna and to all the other international places we gather. So I think this means I will go to Bologna March 22 - 29. Thank you for asking.
@darylo -- he always referred to it as the "Daryl Backpack" -- so glad you got to meet him and experience his hospitality. Thank you for your emails, too -- I'll be sending you a response.
Thank you most sincerely for taking time to express your condolences. To suddenly lose one’s life partner and professional partner – the person with whom you thought you would grow old is to have a hole in your heart so you can’t feel whole. We were fortunate though. Because we did so much international work together, and because we loved being each other’s “accompanying spouse,” we didn’t waste a travel opportunity that presented itself. We have traveled together throughout the world and have many wonderful memories.
Bill thought the 365 community was great. He encouraged me and enabled me, often being the one to suggest a photo subject (most recently, he saved that awful squash for Storm Trooper to discover). He always gave me critique before I posted because even though he wasn’t the avid photographer he had a good eye and he definitely liked “looking” – when I’d get overwhelmed with the many photos I’d taken, he’d say, “post that one,” or at least reduce my choices to a few he thought were worth sharing with 365.
I have to say that @taffy is the most remarkable friend -- but the word friend doesn't convey enough. She immediately stepped in and took care of everyone and everything -- I can't begin to list it all here. All I know is that every time I looked up, she was managing the chaos of my world in a way that only Taffy could. Her clear thinking -- despite this also being her loss -- her smart decision-making, her deepest caring all added up in a way that allowed me to make it through that darkest week in my life.
I hadn’t been taking photos but yesterday I picked up my camera. I don't have the energy to be creative right now, but I will go back to the photos I had taken in Japan that I haven’t processed yet and begin there.
Thank you all for your kind comments. I sincerely appreciate each one.
With so much I could comment on and say, I'll only say I was glad to read, above, that you're going to see your friends in Bologna! I think you'll find it very cathartic and I know you'll sense Bill's presence there with you. It will be a lovely place to begin a new dynamic, and you'll be embraced and loved. I think you not only need this, but your friends have the need to hug you at this time as well. You're always in my thoughts... ♥
@bella_ss -- that is such a sweet thing for you to do! I sincerely appreciate it!!!!! Thank you for honoring him -- and his role in my life and in the world in such a way. Someone from the British Museum even started a Wikipedia page on him!
Junko, sorry to hear of your loss. It is rare to find a companion to spend time with you the way he did, while you pursue your photographic passion. Treasure the memories, and above all, keep shooting thru the pain.
@ggshearron -- What encouraging words you write -- and thank you for recognizing what his companionship meant in my photography. It's comments like yours that will help me get back to photography. I'm thinking about it.
This is a wonderful picture of Bill. Love your posts and so grateful for all your loved ones who are seeing you through this time; especially Taffy. I am thinking of you and Alyssa every day. Xo Trishie
@ukandie1 -- no worries I knew what you meant. Thank you for all the invitations to join you on the photowalks, but I haven't been up to it yet. But I will join you -- it's a goal for picking up my camera again.
@stimuloog@Weezilou@pixiemac -- thank you for your expressions of support! Will start posting again -- going back to Japan, since I haven't taken photos this past month.
@jgpittenger -- thank you for your kind words, and for your card. I'm very touched. I look forward to meeting in person -- perhaps even sooner than the fall?
@ggshearron -- your words of encouragement are sincerely appreciated. I haven't been shooting yet, but I plan to start processing photos taken earlier. And perhaps soon, I will pick up my camera again. Thank you very much.
@pplutz -- I wasn't ready for a visit earlier when you contacted me, but I'm looking forward to your visit when you can come. Have you seen Taffy's post? So full of lovely memories she captured for us.
Oh Junko I am so very sorry to read this so sorry I did not see this when you first posted. We met Bill only briefly but he seemed a lovely man... you must be heart broken... you have a good friend in Taffy and lots of very happy memories... take care... ♥
Wonderful capture and moving tribute to him. I am very sorry for your loss - clearly he had a wonderous way about him. I'm glad you had him and may you always carry him in your heart.
@leananiemand@elkereturns@elatedpixie -- thank you for your sincere expressions of sympathy. I'm having a hard time dealing with the grief, but trying to return to photography for solace. Having two photowalks recently has been good.
Oh Junko
I have only just found out - I have been scatty on 365 for a while...it was Taffy's post for Jim's birthday that made me aware.
I am so sorry for your loss - no other words seem enough except I am so pleased I had the chance to meet you both.
Hugs 💜
June 13th, 2018
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Thinking of you, Taffy and Jim x
Dear Yunko, I just read the terrible news. So sorry and close to your heart. I had not known your husband but from you and Taffy wrote he must have been a really special person. Yesterday morning, before seeing your post, I marveled at your silence on 365 and wondered if you still plan to come to Bologna in March. Has this terrible event changed your program? Or you’ll continue, although with more fatigue, your professional and photographic activities? If you come to Bologna I’d like to meet you, if it is fine with you. Let me know. A big hug to you and yours Caterina
I wish you all the strength in the world to carry on without your dearest loved one...
@Taffy
and there's even a wikipedia page about him.
Thank you most sincerely for taking time to express your condolences. To suddenly lose one’s life partner and professional partner – the person with whom you thought you would grow old is to have a hole in your heart so you can’t feel whole. We were fortunate though. Because we did so much international work together, and because we loved being each other’s “accompanying spouse,” we didn’t waste a travel opportunity that presented itself. We have traveled together throughout the world and have many wonderful memories.
Bill thought the 365 community was great. He encouraged me and enabled me, often being the one to suggest a photo subject (most recently, he saved that awful squash for Storm Trooper to discover). He always gave me critique before I posted because even though he wasn’t the avid photographer he had a good eye and he definitely liked “looking” – when I’d get overwhelmed with the many photos I’d taken, he’d say, “post that one,” or at least reduce my choices to a few he thought were worth sharing with 365.
I have to say that @taffy is the most remarkable friend -- but the word friend doesn't convey enough. She immediately stepped in and took care of everyone and everything -- I can't begin to list it all here. All I know is that every time I looked up, she was managing the chaos of my world in a way that only Taffy could. Her clear thinking -- despite this also being her loss -- her smart decision-making, her deepest caring all added up in a way that allowed me to make it through that darkest week in my life.
I hadn’t been taking photos but yesterday I picked up my camera. I don't have the energy to be creative right now, but I will go back to the photos I had taken in Japan that I haven’t processed yet and begin there.
Thank you all for your kind comments. I sincerely appreciate each one.
I have only just found out - I have been scatty on 365 for a while...it was Taffy's post for Jim's birthday that made me aware.
I am so sorry for your loss - no other words seem enough except I am so pleased I had the chance to meet you both.
Hugs 💜