Saturday, April 7

the kindness that is Kimberly


i have been gone for longer than i expected and for reason i wish were not what they were. i suspect i will even take much more time before i am back for good, but i had to share something good, something real and something that is pure and kind and that is how  these pictures above are possible.

a few weeks ago after working really hard for far to many hours on a project that seemed to never end i received a dm on twitter from a new friend. ' can you call me" that request came from Kimberly whom attended the Dordogne workshop last year. In Dordogne i quickly recognized how caring she was, looking after those who needed her, checking on the other attendees giving good advice for those who seek it. i have spoken in the past about what an incredible group of women i had met and that did not end there. she would always leave the kindest comments and even sent me a gorgeous prepared package with notes like " i thought about you when i came across this" later on still she asked if she could use some of my photographs for a post she was writing only to discover that it was on her creative crush and that happened to be me, feeling honoured by the words and that i in someway made her day with my posts touched me deeply. so i dialled the numbers she left for me and said hello as we talked she said that she wanted to gift me a camera, that she knew that the camera was meant for me" she said many things,  selfless things and i was so humbled by them. truth is there was some crying on my behalf for i could not understand why she wanted to do this for me and wondered if i was deserving of such selfless act. i cried some more and spent the weekend wondering how i could accept but you see Kimberly spirit is like a warm fire she makes you  feel warm and safe and while she explains why she wants to do this incredibly generous thing you cant help but know how lucky you are to have someone such as she saying these things to you.

I accepted and a few days later came not one but two boxes of sweetness( i will explain the second box soon). the camera is so special, i mean the coolest thing ever. it is a whole new way of shooting and i spent a lot of time hoping i would do it justice. the camera she came at the most perfect time, as my heart was breaking for personal loss i did not feel alone and took my camera for a ride on rainy sunday down dirt roads, green hills and pastures and she, my new camera was kind to me slowly teaching me to see things differently, letting me learn her slowly but promising with time i would get to photograph the way i loved too. dear readers she sees things in a different light, i do hope you get used to her like i am, i think  once i understand her fully we can possibly make magic.

to say that an hour goes by that i do not think about Kimberly's act of kindness would be a lie, to say i do not know how i will ever thank her is the truth for how does one tell someone so full of loveliness and selflessness  that her act of kindness has affected your life for good in a very special way.

i know that this post my not be well written, but see tears did fall while writing this post for even though i write what has happened, i am still wondering if i am deserving of this.

kimberly i know you would say i have thanked you many times but i know it is not nearly enough so please know that every time you see a a butterfly, a twinkling star, a moss covered rock, a feather in the wind that in it you can find a whispered thank you from the bottom of my heart
yet even all those thank yous will never be enough.


17 comments:

Imagine you will fly... said...

dear silentwinter ... your posts are so touching ... i see in them so much love and kindness and caring and modesty ... i am really glad you got such a wonderful gift of a camera, just when you needed it the most ... and also the gift of kindness and caring of a new friend ...
... i don't know if i can find the right words to tell you how i feel, that you really do deserve all the kindness that is coming into your life ... because you are kindness ... i see that in your writings, your pictures, as well as in what you are silent about ... i wish you happiness and health, and as many dreams as possible to come true ...

Anonymous said...

There are some truly beautiful people in this world...I'm so glad you have one of them watching over you.

Your photos are lovely...thank you Kim for this gift so we can have more beautiful posts.

Rebecca said...

What a wonderful gift from a sweet, sweet friend! It takes beautiful pictures. I look forward to the lovely photos that I'm sure it will take in the future. Thank you so much for sharing the story! I wanted you to know that I listed your blog as one of my favourites on my site. I hope you don't mind. Have a wonderful evening.

Bluebells and Lavender said...

I love reading your posts, they are so sensitively written and your photographs always make me stare at them for minutes instead of just whizzing through them. Sometimes in life, we are the giver, and that's good, and then sometimes, we are the receiver and we need to learn to receive...it seems this time is your time to receive a gift from the heart. Enjoy your gift and know that it was meant to be. Sharon

Anonymous said...

I think I was about 5 standing in the driveway with my neighbor/best friend Lil watching total strangers help my mum. When I wondered out loud why Lil said, "Because beauty always recognizes beauty." At the time I was all 'Huh?" but I always remembered, and now I know.

Cheers to you both.

BTW, I think "she" already gets you, or you already get her. Either way wonderful pictures.

Sorry for your loss.

Domenico

David @ Frenchie and the Yankee said...

This is a lovely post and story. What a wonderful gift!

kimberly said...

Tears- you certainly know how to inspire them my friend. You know I love you, and I am in awe of your beautiful images. Oh, those cows!!! Nadia, you are a gift, and you share your gift with others. I am so thankful for that, and for you.
Love you sweet friend~
xx

Unknown said...

Absolutely beautiful. I am fortunate to be able to call Kim one of my dearest friends.....she is kindness itself, you are so right

Your photos are wonderful.

Unknown said...

what a beautiful post. i'm honored to know both of you.

Dobbie said...

Beautiful photos Nadia, so fresh and vibrant and yet you retain your unique and dreamy style. Kim sounds like a true friend, kindred spirit, and selfless human being. Here’s to life and its wonderful surprises when you least expect them!

Sweet Life Farm said...

This is the icing on the cake of a joyous and relaxed Easter celebration with loved ones. Touched to tears by this. Though I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Kimberly, like what I found here of you, I feel how special and lovely she is from her blog. It puts a piece of my world in place to hear of, to know, to have such unconditional goodness in our lives. So grateful you shared your sweet story of the generosity of kindness of Kimberly. A gift to us all.

Deb said...

What a lovely post! Splendid photos and a spectacular act of kindness. Just magical!

elaine said...

you are very blessed indeed!

j said...

we are all here to help one another... i've missed your beautiful posts and am sorry for your loss. wishing you hope on the hill. xo, j

corine said...

This only happens in movies! :)) I can't wait to see all the magic that will come out of the new camera. It will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Melissa Marie Head said...

What a great gift and I love your pics - makes me want to come live there!

CorinneLouise said...

So sorry for your sadness and your misses, hope you feel better soon.
May I ask what sort if your new camera ?
Love your blog, your inspiration in the choice of words that bring magic to my imagination.
thank you for such beauty in and out.