Middle Tennessee Flood | Days 8 and 9 | Ron’s Story

Our lives are constantly intersecting with others, sometimes for a brief period  and other times for a much longer durations.  Several years ago, prior to my decision to become a full time photographer, I had a job at a commercial film lab in town called Chromatics.  In the three year period that I worked at Chromatics I learned a lot about film processing, printing, finishing and much more.  Furthermore, because my job was in customer service, I had the opportunity to come in contact with a lot of people.  Some of our clients where professional photographers and some weren’t.  I didn’t see the significance at the time that my job at Chromatics would bear regarding my future personal relationships.  However I do now.  Six years later when I take inventory of my friendships, I am reminded that the seeds were planted for several key relationships that I currently nurture in my life.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the purpose for my job at Chromatics extended beyond just learning about the business of photography.  So what does all of this have to do with Ron Keith?  Like I said in my opening sentence our lives are constantly intersecting with others.  Ron Keith was one of many professional photographers I got to know on an acquaintance level.  In the three years that I worked at Chromatics I helped Ron on a number of occasions.  He was always very pleasant, easy going and humble and quite often would be accompanied by  his adorable son Weston (who was six at the time when I left my job).  To make a long story short, I hadn’t seen Ron in six years until he saw me out photographing on Day 3 of the flood in an area of town that is referred to as “The Nations” area and stopped me.  When I told Ron what I was doing he mentioned that his home was on the Cumberland River and was completely flooded.  His only access to the house at this point (on day 3) was via canoe.  Ron told me that he would call me, once the water went down and the place was accessible, and I would be welcome to come out and photograph the his home.  So I gave Ron my business card, parted ways and waited for his call.  As promised, five days later I received a call from Ron.  He advised me that he was finally able to access his home by car and that I was welcome to come out and shoot.  I told Ron that I would see him later that day.  I knew that Ron was in total disaster mode but was totally unprepared for what I was about to see.  And so begins Ron’s flood story…

 

 

 

Sometimes it’s so hard to find the right words to describe situations and feelings…especially when you are like me and do not consider yourself much of a writer.  There is so much to ad to all of this but the words are all jumbled up in my head.  As the light begins to disappear from the sky, I am reminded that the access I was given today into the lives of Lori, Margaret and Ron was a great privilege.  With this privilege the appropriate exchange on my part is sensitivity, compassion and encouragement.  What lies ahead for Ron and all of the people devastated by the flood I do not know.  However, I do believe something good will come from all of it.  I look forward to seeing whatever that may be…

 

To be continued…