The View from 88

 

 Sunset over Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

I've always liked this sunset picture. I hope it isn't symbolic.

Today I am 88 years old. That sounds like a lot, but honestly, it doesn't feel that way. I always kinda thought/hoped I would live a long time because my father and mother lived to be 90 and 91, respectively. 

While the longevity of parents is a hopeful indicator, it's not a guarantee. Four of my younger siblings have already passed on, leaving only me and my two youngest brothers.

However, I'm still here, and I'm grateful. My basic health is reasonably good. I have borderline diabetes, which has changed little in 24 years, and an aortic valve which my cardiologist says will eventually need to be replaced. I also have had a C-PAP since 2007 and a pacemaker since 2011, both of which have served me well. I have some back problems which make it difficult to stand fully erect, and which make walking less fun than it used to be. But. . .

. . .all in all, I'm doing pretty well. I'm still optimistic, still young in mind and heart, still looking forward to whatever the future might hold. Still enjoying my cameras and my books and ramblin' 'round the countryside. And especially, enjoying life with Louise. We are truly blessed to have shared a long lifetime together. I celebrated my birthday by welcoming our newest great-grandchild: Alexander Robin Jenkins. 

Alexander Robin and his great-grandpa. Cell-phone photo by his dad, Dr. Michael Jenkins.

Above all else, I give credit to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Gospel is simple and straightforward: Jesus Christ is God in a human body. He died a sacrificial death that paid the penalty for all my sins -- past, present, and future. When I acknowledged myself to be a sinner and received him as my savior, he saved me (John 1:12). He will save anyone who comes to him on those terms. That means you -- whoever and wherever you are.

I hope to have many more years to enjoy life, Louise, our family, and photography. But if not, my future is secure. 

(The sunset photo was made in 1990, while on assignment for CBMC-USA. The camera was an Olympus OM2n, and the film, as always, was Fujichrome 100D.)

Visit my online gallery at https://davejenkins.pixels.com/  

Signed copies of my book Backroads and Byways of Georgia are available. The price is $22.95 plus $4.95 shipping. My PayPal address is djphoto@vol.com (which is also my email). Or you can mail a check to 8943 Wesley Place, Knoxville, TN 37922. Include your address and tell me how you would like your book inscribed.

Photography and text copyright 2025 David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone.

Tags:   photography     travel photography     Lake Junaluska, North Carolina     Olympus OM2n camera     film photography     Fujichrome 100D film     salvation     Jesus Christ