Gifts beyond measure

Giacomo was in Portland last night. He is even more radiant than I imagined. It was no surprise to find him deeply in love with his family, profoundly upright in business, kind, compassionate and rich in sensitivity. That much I expected from his blip journal. What I hadn't expected is his tenderness, a slight fragility in his laughter. He has an unflinching and courageous honesty that must occasionally unsettle his business colleagues. He is more beautiful than I imagined, more playful, bursting with his own passion for life. What a privilege to meet him. If Blip did nothing but bring his spirit into my life, I would be grateful.

We met at the Vivian Maier exhibit, and he bought me a copy of the Cahan and Williams book about her. Of all her work, the photo that haunts me most is this one of a child behind bars, in a drain-pipe somewhere near a beach where distant adults go on about their business, unmindful of this girl with her needs and gifts. As a survivor of childhood abuse myself, I identify deeply with her; and I expect Vivian Maier did also.

I suppose you are disappointed there is no portrait of Giacomo here. We had dinner and talked till late at night. The street light was dim. We tried making portraits, but they were grainy, soft focus, garish yellow and green in the reflected street light. Even in black and white, they didn't do justice to either of us. We parted in darkness with an agreement not to blip pictures of each other. I wanted to find some gorgeous image of gift-giving today, to represent the gift his spirit is to my life, but I am sick again. Another cold or infection or something. I was sneezing and blowing my nose last night, and I was off to see the doctor this morning. So for today, just these words of appreciation and gratitude. Maybe some day Giacomo will produce a self-portrait for us, if he wants.