I’m sure by now we all know this, life can change in the blink of an eye. Friends, family, those we care and love dearly, even your own life, it can change in just one moment. That’s why above and beyond it all I treasure my loved ones and their presence in my life. Life is fragile it is fleeting and more often than not how long we are on this plane of existence, is not up to us.
Take the passengers of ValueJet Flight 592. Some of you may not know of it or perhaps you remember but it seems so long ago. ValuJet Flight 592 was a regularly scheduled flight from Miami International Airport to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. On May 11, 1996, the ValuJet Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-9 operating the route crashed into the Everglades about 10 minutes after taking off from Miami as a result of a fire in the cargo compartment caused by improperly stored cargo. All 110 people on board died. Their lives and those who loved them changed from that moment forward.
Up until last weekend, I had not known there was a memorial for those souls in the Everglades until I was on the search for something different to shoot. I looked up a few spots before quickly settling on heading to this particular location. While I hadn’t really done some creative shooting in a while, I woke up inspired that day and was longing for the open road. Well, the open I received. It was about an hour and a half drive for me, no traffic, clear skies, and otherwise the perfect circumstances for a mini road trip.
Yes, it was hot and my time at the actual memorial was brief but I shot and captured what it felt like for me to be there, in remembrance of those no longer with us and with a renewal of appreciation each and every day for the presence of those I love. I only shot about an hour and I had even brought along my lens ball just in case the mood struck. All in all, I put together a small set of just under 40 images that are up on my Facebook page and I’m bringing you my favorites here today.
What do these make you feel? What thoughts come to mind? If one of those is to show those you love them you appreciate them, do it. Do it now because you might not be able to later. Yes, it’s a somber thought but such is life. If you don’t stop and look around, you can miss it.
