If you can remember my first blog post you’ll know that my grandfather passed away in the beginning of the year. He loved fishing and traveled all over the world to pursue his passion. One of his favorite places to go was the Gourmet Salmon Lodge in Gaspé, Quebec, Canada to catch salmon. He would reserve the lodge for a month over the summer for the past several summers. I was fortunate enough to go with him on one of his last expeditions with my uncle and cousin for a few days.
My grandmother wanted to visit the place my grandfather loved so much so we planned to go up for a few days. For Christmas my grandfather gifted my cousin and I the opportunity to go to Canada with him this summer. This short expedition would fulfill our opportunity. The last time I went we drove with my grandfather (about 21 hours) then flew back while he stayed a few more weeks.
This time, we would fly there and back. We only planned to take three flights there and land on the same day; that wouldn’t be the case. The first two flights to get us to Quebec City went flawless. No problems with security, customs, or flight delays. The adventure began when we boarded the flight from Quebec City to Gaspé. About 20 minutes away from landing we were told that there was heavy fog and we would circle around in hopes that the fog would disappear; it didn’t. The next stop for the plane was the Magdalen Islands (Îles de la Madeleine) so that’s where we headed. The pilot came on the speaker with the same fog message. Frustration began developing from most people on the flight. It was about 11p.m. at this point and we were running low on fuel. Our “alternate [airport]” was Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. About an hour later we landed there to be greeted with confusion. We thought we were staying there for the night and leaving in the morning but it turned out that they had to refuel and leave because the airport and surrounding areas were all closed. Next stop: Montreal, a two hour flight back, passing where we originally came from.
In the morning we boarded a flight from Montreal to the Madgalen Islands and minutes before landing I saw something that seemed to tie everything together. A lone, white cross stood atop a large, grassy hill. I wasn’t able to grab my camera to snap a picture but the sight brought comfort. It was like a sign that said “this was God’s plan.”
About an hour later we landed in Gaspé and spent most of the day driving around the town. The following day we fished in the morning, and though we didn’t catch any salmon, I did have a bite and my dad caught two trout. Nonetheless, we had a great time and much needed relaxation from day-to-day activities.
Many thanks to Norbert, Doug, Ivy, Lorn, and Al for providing us a great couple days and reminding us of the countless days you spent with my grandfather.
July 25, 2012 06:43
By Evan Zimmer
Creating good photos is getting easier every day. Not too long ago people were using film which wasn’t too attractive to those wanting to snap a photo every now and then. Today we have phones with high quality cameras and just about every camera on the market is capable of taking a good quality photo. One of my favorite photography-related quotes is from photographer Chase Jarvis. He acknowledges that “the best camera is the one you have with you.”
The convenience of a camera in a phone is what is so attractive now a days. If you follow The Catholic Review on Twitter you’ll notice they post lots of live photos such as a picture of the Pope or a behind-the-scenes shot. The nice thing about these photos is that they put you in the same room as the reporter. You know what’s going on and you’re caught up with the latest news. I took my turn at iPhone photography, and although not news-related, here are my results.
July 13, 2012 10:04
By Evan Zimmer
How do you respond to a friend’s death? As teenagers most of us don’t know what to do or how to respond because losing someone at a young age isn’t supposed to happen.
This past week the St. Margaret and Calvert Hall communities lost a member and I lost a friend. Jack Levee, or as he liked to spell it “Jak,” passed away July 3 from a bad allergic reaction. I had the pleasure of spending my entire time in elementary and middle school with him at St. Margaret as well as three years at Calvert Hall. Jack was a rising senior at The Hall.
According to his closest friends, Jack was a very caring person and a true friend. Jack was a very upbeat, happy, unique and energetic person. In fact, the only way I can remember him is with a smile on his face. He would always have a joke to share and he’d find something positive in every situation. Another way to describe him is crazy (in a good way!). Whether it be carrying a slurpee into exams or dying his hair “Monster (energy drink) green” he would follow the saying “you only live once.” Jack even closed out the eighth-grade fashion show at St. Margaret’s in his fencing uniform – a sport he was said to be very good at.
During Jack’s struggle, social media played a large role in updates on his condition and a basic location for voicing concern. A common post on Jack’s Facebook page was “praying for you”. A “hashtag” was even created on Twitter (#prayersforJack) by his sister, John Carroll student, Abbey Levee.
A few days before his passing a prayer vigil was held at St. Margaret Church. Father Doug Kenney estimated about 175 were in physical attendance. I say “physical” because a live video stream was hosted by John Carroll student Jon Yantz for those unable to physically attend. The Levee family took advantage of this opportunity by watching and listening to the vigil on a laptop. I was on the way back to Texas from a college visit in Oklahoma so I unfortunately wasn’t able to attend. Thanks to Jon and social media I was able to pray with my peers via a cell phone hundreds of miles away.
So how do you deal with the passing of someone so young? You find strength in your family, friends, school community and of course your faith. We can cherish the relationships we have now and know that even at difficult times we have each other to lean on.
Jack Levee (center in the black shirt) was a friend and classmate of Evan Zimmer. (Evan Zimmer | CR photography intern)
July 09, 2012 08:46
By Evan Zimmer