9.11.11 a good morning and a goodbye

©2011 gary garbett.com

On a day that marks the ten year anniversary of such horrific memories of hatred and loss, I found myself waking to this remarkable view. No radio, television, telephones, or headlines were able to interfere with the beauty of another morning. I was surrounded by peace.

After spending the week with my cameras and my thoughts during most of the days, I'll spend this morning packing my suitcase with dirty laundry and the enormous amount of sincere life that surrounded me for seven days. This place is mind healthy and always reconnects me. Im not sure that I could honor this date in any better place, either on earth or in spirit.

Good morning and goodbye mean the same thing today. Hatred does not exist here.

Added Floyd to the List

We've all heard of CBGB's, the Sunset Strip, Gilley's, and Music Row in Nashville, each responsible for their own personal mark on the music world. Without discrediting any of those famous musical havens, I'd like to also add downtown Floyd, Virginia to the list.

If you have a Friday night free, this is the place to be. Casually parading along South Locust Street with real American small town folk of all ages, listening to real homegrown music in alleys, street corners, park benches, barbershops, and wherever else a tune can be shared. Floyd is as genuine as it gets.

When I arrived, I'd planned to spend about an hour or so, just for the experience. Nearly six hours later, I walked to my car with a bounce to my step and the sweet touch of southwest Virginia on my soul.

As I left the small mountain town with a population of 432 that evening, I was convinced of a few things that I wasn't aware of when I arrived hours before the sunlight faded. Real people. Real music. Real life. Damn right… Floyd is a musical Mecca.

a morning filled with heroes

©2011 gary garbett.com

What a day of wonder. I spent the morning documenting the Claytor Lake Sprint Triathlon. It was a day that was far more beautiful than the weather, which was sun filled and stunning. The large wonderful group of young adults to seniors, were such an inspiration and filled with an amazing joy for life. Their spirit and enthusiasm was infectious and they were each truly living for every moment in the moment. They shined. 

As things were coming to a close and as the final runner turned the last corner for the last twenty yards, long after the event leader had crossed the line,everyone gathered at the finish line to encourage her with loud and enthusiastic cheers of support.It was a remarkable experience. Even as a spectator, the emotion and the adrenaline rush at the end was equal to that of the start.

I have the rest of my day in front of me, but my list of heroes grew several pages longer even before pouring my second cup of coffee of the day. Cheers to a life, especially those filled with inspiring heroes.