This week Tina invites us to exploring places and things that have “seen better days”.
A couple of days ago, I read a story about an aged Japanese man who was about to have a major heart surgery, he wasn’t sure if he could make it. The surgery took 7 hours, it was a long recovery process for him.
Several weeks after his heart surgery, during his daily walk, he saw a couple of bare trees along the road. He felt deeply sad whenever he went by these two trees, as it reminded him what he had gone through, also what he was facing.
One day, he walked closer to these two bare trees and thought, “They can’t no longer grow beautiful leaves, but look, they are standing tall with dignity and look up at the sky gracefully.”
He said to himself, “We have so much to learn from nature.”
After reading his story, I decided to alter my initial idea for the “Seen Better Days”. I selected a few tree images from my archives to echo his thoughts. I also want to designate this post to his recovery journey and wish him well. The photo below was taken in Kyoto.
It was delightful to see your beautiful photos and stories of autumn colors. Many thanks for taking us to where you are and where you have traveled to enjoy colorful trees, leaves, flowers, pumkins,.. of this lovely season. 🙂
90 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #168 – Seen Better Days”
Hi Amy
I am still captivated by your tale of the elderly Japanese man, his heart surgery and those two trees about which he said “They can’t no longer grow beautiful leaves, but look, they are standing tall with dignity and look up at the sky gracefully.” That is a life lesson for us all. Beautiful photos in your selection!
Here’s my Lens Artist Submission offering for Seen Better Days. I have just had eye surgery number on Thursday, looking forward to seeing better!
A beautiful response to the challenge Amy and wonderful photographs. I’ve taken a similar interpretation as there’s so much beauty to be found in nature at this time of year 🧡🍂
Nature is beautiful and I do really hope humanity will learn something, but I have some doubts…great photos, beautiful shapes. Appreciate the story of the old japanese man…thanks
Hi Amy
I am still captivated by your tale of the elderly Japanese man, his heart surgery and those two trees about which he said “They can’t no longer grow beautiful leaves, but look, they are standing tall with dignity and look up at the sky gracefully.” That is a life lesson for us all. Beautiful photos in your selection!
Here’s my Lens Artist Submission offering for Seen Better Days. I have just had eye surgery number on Thursday, looking forward to seeing better!
Best, Babsje
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These are beautiful
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A beautiful response to the challenge Amy and wonderful photographs. I’ve taken a similar interpretation as there’s so much beauty to be found in nature at this time of year 🧡🍂
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A poignant story with some almost haunting pictures; wonderful post, Amy 👏
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Thank you for spending time here, Jez. I’m encouraged by your comment. 🙂
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You’re very welcome 😊
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What a lovely take on the challenge, Amy! I especially liked your second photo – lots of emotion in that image.
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Thank you for your visit! I’m so glad I could share these with you. 🙂
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Nature is beautiful and I do really hope humanity will learn something, but I have some doubts…great photos, beautiful shapes. Appreciate the story of the old japanese man…thanks
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Thank you, Robert for spending time here. Appreciate you taking time to sharing your thought with me.
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That’s a wonderfully different take on the challenge! And beautiful photos. I like the gnarly, twisty, form of the tree in the second photo.
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Appreciate you comment, IJ! 🙂
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It’s such a beautiful story about the Japanese man, Amy. Your photos are complimenting the story too!
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So glad you enjoyed the story and images. I’m encouraged. 🙂 These trees were captured in different part of US, except the last one. 🙂
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The trees are just amazing
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