A hint of renewal

After my world irrevocably changed two years ago, I knew my life could never return to what it had been. It also became apparent I would not be the same either. I am still discovering what the new me will be. Of course there will be elements of the old me, but I cannot be the same after such a traumatic loss. Nor would I want to be the same as that would ignore what happened, and is why the words ‘move on’ rankle. Instead over the coming months and years I will move forward, carrying both my grief and my love, as I discover ways to reconstruct and renew both me and my life. This brings me to May Squares and the theme which has been burgeoning in my mind for a couple of months.

I was inspired when I returned to one of the last places in the UK that Robert and I had visited together – the shoreline of Southampton Water. I was actually on my way somewhere else and travelling by train because I no longer have a car.

It was essential I got to my final destination on time, but one of the trains was only every hour. Rather than worry about missing connections or more likely delayed trains making me late, I decided to travel earlier and use the time to go exploring.

It was lovely to be beside the sea, and to be somewhere we had visited in the year or so before he died. It wasn’t just those memories I remembered standing here, I also recalled our early days as a couple. We travelled this waterway at least weekly then, as I had moved to the Isle of Wight.

Standing here looking out across the water I felt as though I was ready to move forward; there was a hint of renewal. No wonder I am looking forward to taking the same diversion when I revisit my friend, who also happens to my hairdresser, for another haircut later this month. I will be arriving even earlier as I am travelling from further afield.

And I invite you to join me. Not for the haircut or even for the journey, but by taking part in the Squares Challenge from 1st May until 31st May with photographic squares that;

Move Forward
Reconstruct
Renew
and/or are Burgeoning

I’m hopeful one or all of these words will strike a chord with everyone; whether you are a street photographer, history buff, nature lover, petrol head, gardener or just someone who loves developing artistic squares. But if they and the tag #SquaresRenew don’t conjure up any ideas or images at the moment, don’t panic! Squares will reconstruct and there is only one rule;