When checking early this morning the last theme for Photo 101, I disliked it from back to front. The ‘Triumph’ word sounds full of grandeur and arrogance. Don’t ask me why; maybe a shrink can explain it better. I just perceive it as a bit Hollywoodish and over the top.
At the end of the day – and perhaps thanks to a yoga session – I made peace with this theme.
I have many blessings to count – as ‘you-know-who-your-are’ rightly so, tell me often – and I wouldn’t be here writing about them, because these are no great triumphs, but only normal highs and lows of a life’s journey, which has mostly been kind to me.
There is a special group of people, though, who I humbly pay homage to, for their efforts and achievements deservedly are ‘Triumphs’.
I dedicate my triumph photo to many warriors: belated brother Adriano, cousin Ana Paula and uncle-father Roberto, cousin Carla, fellow bloggers Paul (My Chordoma Journey) and Michael, my friend and soul-sister C, and to all cancer patients. I also include all doctors, who research and fight every day against cancer, the emperor of all maladies.
This photo is a tribute to resilience; it is a tribute to life. It is an image of self-confidence and defiance to a disease, which relentlessly tries to destroy healthy cells, but can never defeat the human spirit and will to live.
I captured this image during a ‘life-celebration’ lunch with my friend C. She has defeated colon cancer – which left sequels and restrictions to her eating habits – but she is undeterred and determined not to surrender. She enjoys every dessert she loves, every second of her life. This, is a ‘Triumph’.
“It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life.
The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated… it is finished when it surrenders.”
— Ben Stein
What a beautiful and moving post. And a perfect way to respond to what I agree was a challenging way to bring this to an end.
Respect to you for finding such a tasteful and elegant way to deal with this.
I look forward to staying in touch!
Heartfelt thank you, Andy! Now it’s your turn to make me cry.
This subject brings back vivid memories of my brother.
You inspired me this morning, and I am grateful to you; I had no idea on what to do.
We will absolutely be in touch. It has been great meeting you here, and I won’t give you up. Besides, you are my neighbour!
Cheers to us!
Thank you, that means a lot…and cheers to us too, neighbour !
🍸🍸tin tin!
I think a drink is now in order – but need to drive home first!
Deal! Get home first and I’ll wait for you before opening the bottle in Amsterdam.
Deal!
Home now and about to open something … 🙂
Great! Then, let’s drink together with Mara. Go now to her converge post. You’ve been anxiously expected there!
Now that sounds lovely!
We’re totally not talking about you on a blog’s public comment section. Hurry up!
I love this! So professional looking with the emphasis being on the sweets! Well done!!!!
Hearfelt thanks!
Lovely post. Sometimes a triumph is as simple (not necessarily easy) as getting off the couch and making a meal of something somewhat healthy instead of eating junk food. Thank you.
Thank you for your kindness, and also for visiting!
Great picture! And well said!
Thank you! Last day of photo101; now will have more time to visit other blogs, including yours. Miss reading it!
This is obviously the most perfect response. It resonates with me so much, the first lines — about the arrogance of presuming Triumph — were as though you took them from my mouth. And your idea of triumph is one that nobody can dispute. A beautiful post and a dignified conclusion of Photo 101 on your part. Congrats on making it!
Heartfelt thanks, my friend. We think alike. ❤️
gosh a really touching and heartfelt post and one i can relate to having had family members suffer. I am so thrilled your friend has triumphed and gets to enjoy life i also look forward to keeping in touch x
Thank you. So you know what’s like…she’s an example and whenever I feel bad I just think of her to put things into perspective. Likewise. We’ll be in contact. Xx
gosh yes I can get that totally a reality check is good every so often and the ability to be grateful for the small things x
Such a heartfelt beautiful post. I am with you on the word triumph. Still haven’t taken my photo: guess I haven’t made peace with it yet. But you did it beautifully
Heartfelt thanks! I understand you. Better sleep over it and you eventually you’ll think of something. I got stuck when thinking of me but the moment I looked outside, I accepted the word.
Thanks for commenting.
Very eloquent!
Thank you! Thanks for dropping by.
Fabulous photo with great black and white and blurry effects, I love the color on the sweets!
But more importantly, your tribute to triumph in beating a disease is so noteworthy! Your friend sounds like a true warrior!!!
Thank you, Lia!! Indeed she is an example.
Very touching, Lucile. I find it fitting that the dessert tray is glistening in golden shades – a triumph to Colette!
Indeed, i hadn’t noticed the golden shades, but you did. Thanks for commenting.
A heart warming post lucile 🙂 We triumph over small things and here are some who have triumphed over such greater adversities.. 🙂
Happy you liked it. They make my issues small.
You are so deep and introspective, Lucile, that’s what I love about you! You use your talents for in these wonderful posts. What a beautiful testament to your friend in the interpretation of “triumph!”
Terri, you make me blush. You’re considerate and very generous. I’m happy you like the post because it means a lot to me. We tend to think that things happen elsewhere but not to our family and friends; once this disease shows up at our doorsteps like a hurricane, it turns our perspectives upside down; changing our life paths. I write straight from the center of this hurricane in my heart, and because you are a very sensitive person, you can see it. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration.
[…] 5. What woman do you most admire past or present? My friend Colette Casimir, whom I mentioned before on the post A Triumph of Human Spirit. […]