Uganda July of 2008

• Published July 1st, 2009 by Michele Celentano
• 2 Comments

 July 1, 2009

 

It’s hard to believe it was one year ago today that I traveled to Africa on one of the greatest journeys of my life.  All day today, I find myself reflecting back to my experiences in Uganda.  I can honestly say I wish I was going back again this year.  There was so much more I wanted to do, see and photograph.  Just about everyday I think about the people I met there, the struggles they face, the joy in their hearts, the gratitude they have for just about everything and their beautiful spirits.

 

I thought the one year anniversary would be a good time to update the blog with the images that I took in Uganda and my perspective a year later.

 

I had a conversation with a wonderful client the other day.  I called her because I had photographed her and her 92 year old mother Anna more than a year ago and heard that Anna had passed away.  I was heartbroken.  I fell in love with Anna the minute I saw her.  The first reason I was instantly drawn to her was that she shared the same name as my daughter and grandmother. She was also right around my height, Italian, outspoken and funny...what's not to love.

 

The point of this story and how it relates to Africa is coming.

When I called Kathy to express my condolences she was in tears.  She was so grateful that I took the time to call and talk to her.  She also thanked me for the portraits I had created of her and her mother.  She talked about how proud of them her mother was and how now they are of great comfort to her now.  I hung up in tears myself, both sad and happy tears.  I was sad for the loss of Anna but happy that I had done something that brought her and her daughter so much joy.

 

It made me wonder how many people I have photographed over the past 20 years that are now comforted by photographs that I took of people they have loved and lost.  It really is an overwhelming feeling.

That brings me back to Uganda one year ago.  How many photographs did I leave behind that now have a new meaning.  The mortality rate is so low that I know there are children and families that I photographed, hugged, spent time with, spoke with and laughed with that may longer be here.  I hope I left something of them behind so that someone who misses them has a photograph for comfort and peace.  

It’s then that I wish I could have done more.  The thought drives me to want to go back next year and have a team of photographers that will help expand on what I have already done.  

 

I miss the peaceful ways of Uganda.  Running at sunrise and waving to people passing by.  I miss the expressions on the faces of the children I handed photographs to.  I miss the deep spiritual beliefs of the people of Uganda.  I miss the gratefulness people have that I have not experienced since I returned home.  

 

I can still hear the children singing “you are welcome our visitors, we are so happy to receive you today”....  One year later it sounds like they are singing in my ear and I still get teary eyed...

 

Everyday is a blessing, even the bad days.  The bad days are there to remind us how wonderful the good days really are.  It’s been said a million times... Life is Short.... 

What is here today may be gone tomorrow and so let’s try to be kinder, happier, spend more time with the people we love, hug our kids everyday, don’t worry so much about the bills, everything is temporary and this too shall pass.... (I think my grandmother is channeling her words of wisdom) if I add.... “the youth is wasted on the young...and penny saved is a penny earned”.... I’ll know I’m getting old.

 

The beauty of getting very close to 40 is finally all the things adults said to me as a child make sense.

 

Below are some of my favorite images from Africa.  An experience I will forever be grateful for.  The journey gave me a perspective on life I had not see before.  It taught me lessons about life, love, tenacity, perseverance, kindness, humility and so much more...  Those lessons live on in my heart everyday.

To all of you who helped me get there, thank you again from the bottom of my heart.  You helped to deliver a gift that is immeasurable in value.