A Passing Glimpse

paperwork's complete. bring on tomorrow. /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com

Next to being a Dad, my middle aged return to higher education has been one of the most rewarding events in my life. Receiving my bachelor's degree at 48 years of age was a personal landmark. It was official. I'd been bitten by the education bug and prior to graduating in 2008, I'd already applied and accepted my invitation to attend graduate school in Virginia Commonwealth University's highly ranked School of the Arts program. 


I continued my forward educational momentum while also working full time for the university. Education and creativity surrounded me. I felt at home. Two years and one day after attending my very first graduate level class, my thesis art exhibition opened at the Rawls Museum. My frantic pace and life's ambitions merged. It was spectacular. A few weeks later, just before graduation, I was humbled with my invitation and induction into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. 

Throughout my entire life, I've always attempted to make good decisions. There were certainly numerous times when I fell far short, but my late in life decision to return to college has become one of my absolute best. Quite honestly with my working class upbringing, I never would have imagined ever being able to use the phrase college graduate associated with Gary Garbett. And to one day earn a Masters degree was simply unimaginable. My only regret is that I wish my father could have seen some of this unfold. He would have been so proud. Who knows, maybe he was watching.

There was a voice mail waiting for me on Monday as I returned home from the office. The voice was personable, upbeat, and professional. It was the university's Student Services office calling to say that my diploma was ready for pick up. I smiled and erased the message. With a few moments to breathe, I now look back and I'm incredibly proud of the work, direction, and growth, both personally and artistically that I've made over the past few years. I'm truly a blessed and lucky, lucky man. 

I'm just now feeling like I'm getting started and I've got a hell of a long way to go before being done. Life is simply that good and I look forward to what it decides to bring tomorrow. I may even set my alarm earlier for a preview glimpse.

24 degree humanity and the two lane bridge /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com

Because the road had no shoulder, I parked the truck, left the flashers on, and walked about a third of a mile to get in position to capture the shot. The air was crisp with temperatures hovering around 24 degrees as I walked across the narrow two lane bridge. Approaching me from the distance, a Jeep slowed down. The driver and passenger glanced in my direction before slowly accelerating and driving away.

Upon getting to the other side of the bridge, my face was taut from the cold air and my hands were dry, cold, and red. I began framing and shooting several images from different angles and positions. I then looked up from my camera to recognize the vehicle I had seen a few minutes earlier returning from the opposite direction. As it neared, the passenger window lowered just before the Jeep came to a stop. "Hi. We're just making sure that you're okay. We thought you might have been hurt", said the driver. I smiled. My breath was visible as it met the cold air and I gently waved my Olympus. "I'm fine, thanks... just taking a few photos."

There it was again. I witnessed another grace of humanity. This was the second one within a two hour blink of time. Reaching the other side of the bridge, the driver did a u-turn and headed back in his original westward direction. The horn beeped and he waved as he past me once again. I took a few more shots before making the walk back across the bridge in the direction of the flashing blinkers. As I smiled, the crisp January breeze was making my face just a little tighter. All the while I kept thinking... I believe.

man of substance /  by admin

©2011 gary garbett.com

Yesterday I met one of the richest persons I've ever known.

Douglas Moody is the shoeshine man at the Richmond International Airport. There were few travelers in the terminal as I passed by his stand in the afternoon, but his smile was welcoming and better yet, real. I was compelled to stop... just to say hello. The two of us chatted and laughed for a moment. His words were genuine and in between bites of his Almond Joy, he offered me his $7 shine for $5. He explained it as his "slow day" special. I wasn't really interested in shining my old Dr. Martens, but I knew at that price, the time with Mr. Moody would be worth every dollar. How could I possibly go wrong?

He gave my old docs one hell of a shine, but his tale about how to be a good man and an honest person really polished my soul. He was also quick to offer repeatedly just how much he loved his wife. His baseball cap pretty much said it all. Man of Faith.

As he finished shining my shoes, he wrapped up his story. Another customer then walked up and waited for a shine. Saturday was getting just a little bit busier for Mr. Moody and just as he had minutes earlier, he welcomed it all with his sincere smile. I handed him a $10 bill, told him to keep it, and thanked him for the special.

You're a rich soul, Mr. Douglas Moody. For a small $10 investment, I walked away a little richer myself, ...and with shiny shoes. Thank you again.