looking for neil-

System

TOGETHERNESS

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away
into the next room.

I am I,
and you are you;
whatever we were to each other, that, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used,

put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air
of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we shared together.

Let my name ever be
the household word that it always was.

Let it be spoken without effect, 
without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all
that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you,
for an interval, somewhere very near,
just around the corner.

All is well.

One brief moment and all will be as it was before,
only better, infinitely happier,
and forever we will be one together.

Canon Henry Scott-Holland




James Neil Fillmore

October 20, 1979 to January 4, 2003

a good husband, loving son, loyal friend, proud american
always for the underdog

neil, we love you, and will never forget you

mom, dad, nomi, jennie and bill, daniel and lauren, elisabeth and dylan, meghan and daniel, connor neil and nathan, and all the doggies

Elaine

George,

I'm so touched that you would share these details with us here. My thoughts are with your family.

Flyinggina

So moving, George. The dreamlike quality of the photograph captures everything - the sadness of the loss, the hope of reunion, the beauty of life and the peace for those who have gone ahead.

Virginia

Frog Lady

g - touching photo/words as you remember him (your son?)

may your rememberances always be fond ones.

C.

photogmomma

I am so very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful photo and a perfect poem for him.

T. Bombadil

oh man. what can be said? very moving. so sorry for your loss. the text you included is hopeful. i'm hoping it helps.

cjmchch

In memory,

With respect.

Tuna

George,

Very moving poem and photo alike, and they compliment eachother well. I'm very sorry for your loss and hope you enjoy the many good memories you probably have of him on the anniversary of his passing.

jeffreaux2

George-

Nearly daily you allow us all to glimpse into that chaotic everyday world that is yours. I am here not quite a year on these boards, and have already come to think of you as a neighbor ,of sorts, with (among other qualities) an enviable sense of humour. The critics can say "this" or "that" about your the photos you share, but no one can say that a single one of your photographs is not thought provoking. This one in particular, I think, is one of the simplest, most minimalistic compositions I have seen from you, yet it is also arguably the most complicated. Thank you for sharing the photograph, the poem, and for yet another glimpse into that chaotic world that is yours. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours on this day.

Swartzy

George
There aren't words. Losing a son is beyond my reach of comprehension. May you and your family find strength and encouragement. Thanks for sharing such a fitting poem and memorial.

Panther

Howdy George,

Very nicely done, the very simple, yet striking and powerful image, and the Poem, oh the Poem. So thought provoking and is a perfect compliment to the image and memory.

So sorry for your loss and sorrow, but through you and your images, he will never be forgotten.

Warmest Regards,

Craig

ShepsMom

Ohh George, what a beautiful tribute. I'm very sorry about your loss. Words just can't express all the emptiness. Please take care of yourself and yours.

System

five years ago to this day we received that nightmarish phone call that our son had been killed-

we'll never get over it, but friends like you on this forum help alleviate the pain to some extent-

and I guess photography has been a lifeline through this time, keeping me occupied and grounded and having friends to talk to that share common ground-

there are many people, more than you can imagine, that have lost a loved one; even a pet can become so beloved that the death of this pet can tear a life asunder-

my prayer is that none of yours die before their time, that all of you live a life that's full and prosperous and full of kids and grandkids, even pets-

thank all of you for looking and also writing about my son; it means so much to me-

Godspeed and take care-

jeffreaux2

-Bump-
For our old friend George...
...wherever he is these days...

My thoughts are with you.

jeffreaux2

Bump.