The theme for week 16 of the Project 52 Pet Photographer’s blog circle is “Isolation”.
This is kind of an emotionally tough one…
By definition, to be isolated means to be separate from others, to be alone. For many around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has made this their new reality.
But this experience of isolation does not feel new to me. My own personal journey with this way of being started 5 months ago when my husband Roland died after a short but intense battle with brain cancer.
On that day my world stopped and I could feel myself being pulled away from all that I knew. The perception of “being safe” was lost and I found myself turning inward in an effort to hold back my fears.
Grief, for me, is a very private, personal experience not easily shared. Its very presence leads to feelings of, and even a need for, isolation.
While I live with this grief, even when with others, the sense of aloneness prevails and I feel set apart. Today I recognize this feeling of separation, and the sadness that accompanies it, as part and parcel of the journey I am on.
The imposed pandemic isolation has merely added another layer to it all.
I know the world and I will come out on the other side of all of this… and that, and my family, and my dogs are what keep me moving forward, one step, one day at a time.
I miss you Roland, every day.
I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne’er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When Sorrow walked with me.Robert Browning Hamilton
Project 52 _______________________
This post is part of the Pet Photography Project 52 blog circle. To see what the next photographer is sharing for the weekly theme, “Isolation”, visit Pet Love Photography, serving Greater Cincinnati, the San Francisco Bay Area, and destinations nationwide. Continue to click the link at the end of each post in the blog circle until you eventually find your way back here. Enjoy!
Simply Col Photography 
So very sorry for your loss, Col. Beautifully written. I wish you lots of sunshine and snuggles in the days to come.
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Beautifully written post with lovely photos. Take care.
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Thank you for sharing your grief. Your words and images exemplify your sadness and loneliness. I do hope brighter days are ahead for you.
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Col, wow – this has definitely been a tough road for you. I hope that your being part of our blog circle gives you some time to enjoy – your blog is beautiful – and I love the photos as well….particularly drawn to the black and white portrait of the pup looking directly at the camera.
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So sorry for your loss, Col. I can’t even begin to imagine. Wishing you peace. Our dogs do make our world and help us get through some of the toughest times. Beautiful images displaying emotion.
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Oh Colleen, I am so sorry! I’ve been away from my blog for over a year. I had no idea when I saw you last month that Roland had died, and so recently. Big hugs to you, dear one. May you have much comfort in your memories and your dogs. How awful to be isolated by COVID-19 during this time of grieving.
(By the way, all five of the puppies were foster fails.)
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What a beautiful post Colleen. Your prose was wonderful and extremely moving. I can’t image the journey you’re on, but I wish you peace while on it. Your images are beautiful and I’m happy that you have your dogs to provide some come comfort. My mother lost her 15 year old last week and now she’s all alone after my father passed away over 5 years ago. I worry for her.
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Your blog brought tears to my eyes. I know where you are. I lost my son in November of 2017, and the world, since then, has become a very different place for me. I will never be the same person, but I am a new version of myself. My heart goes out to you on losing your husband.
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