weathered

I thought I knew all of the old people of this tiny village, but one day as I wandered through with my camera, I met a lady tending the plants outside the church.  After a shy greeting, she told me a little of her hard life, with acceptance and without complaints.  She only had one remaining wish she said: that she have a photograph that her children could place on her gravesite when the time came.  

She asked me how much I charge; I told her nothing and offered to take her picture.  I didn't expect her overwhelming appreciation-- she rushed to find her husband, even sent him to shave, so he could also be photographed.  When I returned a few days later with a simple gift of the framed prints her eyes welled up.  Now she will not be forgotten...