Photography freezes a moment in time. The beach entrances in Sea Girt lend themselves to dramatic views. The railings offer perspective shortening, focusing the frame on the sky. As you walk up you hear the ocean before you get your first glimpse. Passing along on the boardwalk are runners, bikers, and couples. I try and catch them in shadow to preserve their privacy.
I have taken thousands of these pictures, most are unremarkable. Every now and then I get a gem. Back in March of 2022, I took a shot from down the street. The sky was orange. I waited till just before the walker hit the center of the boardwalk to shoot. Most days, I continue my walk, sometimes on the sand, or on the boardwalk. I watch most of our sunrises. It’s a good start to my day. I wander and take pictures, usually reviewing them on my way home. I posted the long shot of the orange sky and the walker.
Upon closer inspection, the walker was my friend, Ken. I met Ken about nine years ago. We were hockey dads with time to talk. When we were considering moving to Sea Girt, he was the town’s biggest fan. He could talk about it for hours. He was the mayor. My first friend in town welcomed us and we shared a common enthusiasm for history. We had both worked in finance and shared observations about the economy. He and Jess had us to their home. We had them to ours. In the PM, walking the boards with my wife, we marveled that he rarely had a chance to walk the entire boardwalk without a suggestion, question, or complaint from a citizen.
During COVID, Ken began to show tiny signs of something being off. Distancing allowed him to reduce his contacts, but he never stopped talking to me. While we never discussed his illness, we did talk about prayer, the passing of his mother, and his frustrations at work. He talked with pride about his kids, Georgetown, the goodness of our wives, and the town. After he stepped down as mayor in the summer of ‘21, his ability to communicate slowly diminished. He started wearing earbuds and sometimes a wave and smile allowed him his dignity if he was struggling. He never failed to stop and pray, near the bench by his mother’s old house, and for a friend who died on 9-11.
By March of 2022 when the picture was taken, he was still walking strongly. We visited with Ken and Jess and I shared the picture with Jess. She really liked the image and encouraged me to share it.
My friend passed away this December. The photo was printed on the booklet for his funeral.
Godspeed Ken. May the wind always be at your back.
Ken at prayer April ‘22