This morning I learned of John Franklin Tabors sudden passing. I reread the email as I was in disbelief. How could that possibly be? I recently received an email he sent us, The Loudoun Photo Club, on July 20 responding to club questions. Yet now this! He definitely left this world too, too soon on August 1st. Wow!
For some bizarre reason this is hitting me hard even though we were not close, nor were we friends. My heart is heavy for the loss his family and friends are bearing. Today I learned we shared a birthday which we will never celebrate together. Today I learned we shared love of country, as we both served in the US Army. I already knew we both loved light and photography. Today I learned of his passing.
I first met John through zoom Loudoun Photo Club meetings during the COVID 19 pandemic shutdown and then face-to-face at a LPC meeting when people started to gather and meet again. He had a keen photographic eye as well as a keen sense of humor. His eyes twinkled like the light as he oozed love for people. His kindness and generosity of time and talent never went unnoticed.
I will miss John even though I pulled back from LPC this past year.
John was only 54 years old. Today I am strangely struck by the unfairness of his short life. I am strangely reminded of life and time. How much do we really have? Of course, only God knows the answer to this. Besides, do we really want to know? I do not want to know. But I do know we, I, need to make the time left, whatever that may be, matter.
John had more he wanted to do. Of this I am sure, as he had a wife, children, and grandchildren. I am also sure there are so many things people who were very close to him wanted to say and share just one last time. I know I do. I would tell him I wish I had known him better. In the meantime, I can say what I want others to know now before I cant.
Cheers to John! May his legacy continue! I pray he is having the time of his life in heaven.