Opus for Anne: A Still Life, 2002 - 2005
Opus for Anne: A Still Life
Photographs made during the three years when I was a Hospice Volunteer to Anne, a woman in her late 80s who was dying of cancer, at her home in Greenwich Village. She had been bedridden for many years. Anne defied all odds and time expectations of Hospice, living for three years. In the time that I knew her, we became close friends. She was great company - interesting, smart, feisty, funny, and warm. I visited her twice a week, bringing books and flowers; we discussed the state of the world and worlds. She was not afraid of death, though she was ambivalent about dying. It was a privilege to be able to talk honestly and openly; to acknowledge the fear and anxiety about the unknown, and to help her, by being there. What I had expected - a short-term volunteer situation, turned into a deep, lasting and meaningful friendship. She taught me about living day to day, with grace, courage, dignity, humor and patience.
These photographs were made during the three years when I was a Hospice Volunteer to Anne, a woman in her late 80s who was dying of cancer, at her home in Greenwich Village. She had been bedridden for many years. Anne defied all odds and time expectations of Hospice, living for three years. In the time that I knew her, we became close friends. She was great company - interesting, smart, feisty, funny, and warm. I visited her twice a week, bringing books and flowers; we discussed the state of the world and worlds. She was not afraid of death, though she was ambivalent about dying. It was a privilege to be able to talk honestly and openly; to acknowledge the fear and anxiety about the unknown, and to help her, by being there. What I had expected - a short-term volunteer situation, turned into a deep, lasting and meaningful friendship. She taught me about living day to day, with grace, courage, dignity, humor and patience.
