Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Spending Time With Me (5 of 7)

Welcome!

Through my writing, photography, career, and personal challenges, you will discover I am just like you, a person on a journey. My goals are simple, to be healthy and happy. You will learn I have many interests. The driving force for all I do is communication, the sharing of ideas and my passion for laughter. It really is the best medicine and a great stress reducer.

I consider myself a down-to-earth guy, who is just making it up as I travel through life, adding a virtual laugh track here and there to amuse others and myself. I have a friendly personality, which is expressive, warm, upbeat, fun, and positive. I love meeting new people. I thrive on communication, organization, diversity, creativity, and laughter. – Paul Eric Kilmon (paerki)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Spending Time With Me (5 of 7)

January 5, 2025: A walk around Washington D.C., our nation's capital, was a perfect way to begin my day. – paerki

January 6, 2025: I have one particular friend who I wish still lived in Baltimore. She hasn’t lived here in decades, but we still stay connected through mail, email, text, and social media.

It’s a friendship I cherish like no other because I really can remember all the little nuisances of how it came to be, and how we’ve nurtured it over the years, mostly through communication. In my mind, that’s the best!

I don’t need reminders because I carry her as I always have in my heart. Yesterday, I received something special from her – a calendar filled with quotes, and I love it! I appreciate that she knows I will appreciate such a gift. What’s even better is I decided to hang it on my refrigerator, and I will see it every day and think of her. As I have already said, I don’t need reminders, but it does help the relationship feel closer to home.

I am happy to have people in my life who share my values and interests. Friends who think of me just as much as I think of them. Friends who are my family, sharing a bond even though we are hundreds of miles apart.

My friend, you mean the world to me, but you know that already. Happy New Year!

Dear Reader… I hope what I described, you have too. Those of us in the know understand how important friendship is, and why we must nurture those connections every chance we get.

Friendship is important because it helps us build connections with people who share our values or interests. Best friends encourage us to pursue our passions, dreams, and desires by offering support through advice and shared wisdom.

I have many acquaintances, and very few friends. My choice.

Don’t get me wrong, because I appreciate the social network of my acquaintances, more often than not respecting their input with the things I share, but it’s my closest friendships I value most because it’s those individuals who have witnessed me at some of my most vulnerable, awkward moments, and still loved me anyway. – paerki

What would life be like without memories? It’s fair to say, there would be no life at all. Memory is our communication, reason, coherence, our action and more importantly, our feeling. Memories create our path in life, developing our psychology and leading us emotionally.

One of the best ways to create and store memories is with video. These simple effortless little snippets of time create diaries and become perpetual time capsules, which justify our walk on earth, telling all with great enthusiasm… I was here! I mattered! I lived! Please, don’t forget me.

Share your views, thoughts and opinions in the written word. Snap photographs so your eyes can travel back in time, remembering the happy and sad moments that made you the person you were, are and became in life. But, whenever possible, capture video to enhance the memories you leave behind, so that others may pass the essence of your life on to future generations. – paerki

I love photographs! They have this amazing ability to tell stories of fun places, special moments, memorable events, and exciting places. They give us reason to pause and remember friends, family, coworkers and so many others. One photograph can conjure up a flood of memories taking us on a journey. They help us remember the past, enjoy the present and ponder the future.

On a cold and rainy day I love sitting in my living room with a roaring fire, a glass of wine, classical music playing in the background and my many photographs scattered about me. I love sifting through what I call my special collection, which refers to my favorites. They remind me of the saddest and happiest moments of my life. They remind me of challenges and overcoming.

My large collection of images are a testament to a life lived. Life happens all around us so it’s important to collect special memories, and what better way than with a photograph. – paerki

It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years. This art form has allowed me to showcase and express my creativity. It has bolstered my confidence (not that is was lacking). At times it has been therapeutic, but more than anything it has given me a much deeper view of the world and how I see myself in it.

I use my insights as a barometer for self-change, which helps me reconcile the past, adapt to the present and navigate carefully into the future. I have enjoyed the roller coaster ride of thought as my hands write it and my eyes see it. As always, I hope you can relate to my stories, appreciate my views, savor the wisdom, reflect on the concepts and, more than anything, respect my friendly and genuine interest in connecting with others.

Find you own voice. Think about writing your own blog. Learn your style, share your views and open a whole new world of possibilities for you and your readers-to-be.. – paerki