Great Blessings
As a photographer I admire a lot of people with skills far greater than mine! One off my favorite photographers and friends is Joe McNally. To have him as a guest in our home and to just spend time together was a great joy and blessing, but to have him say, ” may I photograph you ?” was an honor for sure. Even though he was badly handicapped with the subject matter, he captured me with his patented authenticity, I loved the shot!
He caused me to think a little about how blessed I am with some truly great friends! My best earthly friend is, of course, Sherelene, my bride! Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder how she ever agreed to marry me! Then comes my brother, Homer, he has taught me so much, by example! I’ve been blessed with many great people in my life but four stand out as true friends, those kinds of people you can share anything with and rely on! Jack Graham, Jim Haverstock, Carl Turner and Tony Rogers are those kinds of friends! What a blessing to have them in my life! You are truly a blessed man if you can count that many!
I have a handful of dear friends that are already with the Lord, and I look forward to giving them a hug again someday! Till then I’m truly blessed here!
In Him,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Thursday, September 18th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
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Your friendship has been a joy and blessing. Joe captured an image reflecting the fact we truly are brothers.
We are indeed, you have served as a cherished example of what it means to walk with the Lord! You have a wonderful spirit and lead by your walk!
Love you brother! I’ll come take your picture whenever you want me to. My iPhone does a pretty good job!
Your on, would love your company!
You just hand that iPhone to Tony Sweet and he’d work magic!
Both Annie and I count amongst our many blessings, the friendship we have with you and Sherelene, Bill and Jim Haverstock. This is an amazing endeavor, this photography thing we do and we love, but beyond the lenses and the lights, and pictures and the adventures, is the gift of meeting people like you. The friendships, the shared love of life and craft, and the camaraderie of common purpose. All Best to you and that amazing lady of yours! And of course, I would be remiss to not include Chester, even though he didn’t pose for me! No hard feelings, buddy!!!
Don’t feel bad, he doesn’t pose for me either, and I give him treats! I love you and Anne and consider it an honor to be among your friends! The latch key is always out for the both of you! I look forward to our next visit!
Bill the essence of photography success is building an empathy between your creation and your audience. I think so many photographers have close friendships bwcasue especially in us older folks we like to curate an image, a relationship, a dream. We don’t like to death scroll, we like to linger. Whenever we do this with God, family and friends we are enriched beyond our wildest dreams. God Bless my friend, and so glad to call you one.
Same back at you Eric! I believe you’ve identified it right, It takes time to create an image and even more so a friendship
Bill you truly are a blessed man and I’m sure that your friends feel very blessed to have you in their life.
That is very kind of you Dave, and typical of your always generous nature! I have tried, I emphasize “try’, to treat others with the grace and compassion that the Lord has afforded me. If that is the result consider me blessed indeed!
So many of us have been helped and blessed by you, Bill. I hope you remember that today.
Thank you Walter, I will carry that with me!
Hi from Alaska!….and back atcha!
Live ya man…. Can’t wait to get us to the Smokies when Inget home next week!
JG
Me too, we’re having a little brown out here, still have hopes for a nice fall!?
Bill, We are blessed to have you. And, to be honest, it scares me when I see the infrequency of your posts because I worry about you but, more important, you gave given so much and yet have more to give. Ever wonder why at our age (you’re a little bit older) we’re still kicking? I think it’s because the Lord’s plan is for us to continue serving until we can no longer do so. That’s one way we honor those who no longer can, like our beloved Don Nelson and Hugh Morton, among others.
You, mi amigo, are here for a reason. And when I think back to your history, three things stand out: faith, community and expertise. Your workshops inspired the photography of many because of the experienced photographers and great locations. You openly and proudly showed your faith. And you did all of this in community, something that is sorely lacking today. We need more photographers to come together for a long weekend in community, faith and learning. Maybe, just maybe, before you can’t, a GAPW reunion somewhere and an invitation to those who never had the privilege to do so now.
This time, Bill, I’m preaching to you. The Lord isn’t done with you! We love you. So don’t be such a stranger!
Thanks Dick, very kinds words and a reunion would be great!!!!