I hate saying goodbye. But sometimes I have no choice. Farewell, Bill Coleman, photographer extraordinaire of the Amish. He died at age 88 after battling heart disease. We can see through his lens what an extraordinarily generous heart he had as well as a keen eye. Children are good at sizing up people. His photos of children exemplify patience, humor, and humility. Bill’s images remain with us, a legacy and gift for all who see them, and can be purchased online.
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| Photo by Bill Coleman, used by permission |
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| “Your Turn”, by Bill Coleman |
I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Bill’s son, Noah Coleman, who will run the business. Noah is a delightful man and his dedication to his father was evident—a two-way street. Having prayed for Bill this last year, he was often in my thoughts. I can hear my Old Order Amish friends saying his death was God’s will. (Bill Coleman – Centre Daily Times)
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| The inviting entrance to The Old Country Store |
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| Quilts, gifts & books on the first floor of the Old Country Store |
Farewell to the Old Country Store and Quilt Museum in Intercourse, PA, one of my favorite haunts and where a friend worked many years. My husband and I loved to shop at the Old Country Store and visit the Quilt Museum to admire our friend Old Order Amish Emma Stoltzfus’ fabulous quilt (E S Quilts in Lancaster, PA) and my visit with friend Norma, who was a first reader of Leaving Lancaster. Someone from the store recently wrote me to say that hopefully there will be new owners.
Other things I’ve hated saying good-bye to are beloved pets, especially my dogs. Bidding farewell to the last two was so painful I haven’t gotten another. Several years ago, I said goodbye to my old walking partner and then: Presto! A fabulous new walking partner appeared with her dog! Proving that sometimes a farewell is an opportunity to say Hello!
Occasionally we say goodbye to a bad habit and replace it with a good one. A pair of slacks that’s too loose because we’ve lost unwanted pounds. Can’t complain about that! I can imagine the month of January was not difficult to say Adiós or Lewewohl to for those who endured brutal weather—either frigid or too dry, causing a drought and fire.
Is there anything in your life you’ve reluctantly said farewell to or would like to? A clueless neighbor whose dog barks all night? A case of the sniffles?
Please leave an email address if you wish to enter to win a signed copy of Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork. Winner has one week to respond. USA & Canada.
Congratulations to last week’s winner, Rachel, of a signed copy of Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork!
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| Coming June 1, 2014 |
I would like to enter to win:
FLOSS ANDREWS
8739 TURKEY RIDGE RD
BREINIGSVILLE PA
18031
Thanks for entering, Floss! Good luck!
I was so upset when I heard that Bill Coleman had passed. He had a wonderful talent. With so much respect for the Amish. Please enter me in your drawing.
Thanks,
Deb
drharb@walnutel.net
He did have a wonderful talent, Debra! He respected the Amish and it was obvious they liked him. Thanks for entering! Good luck!
It is so difficult to say goodbye to those you love. We can only treasure our memories and try to be thankful for our time with them. Thank you for another wonderful giveaway, Mary Ellen Ashenfelder.
I agree with you so much, Mary. I cherish the memories of dearly loved ones and am grateful to have had them in my life. Thanks for writing!
The worst goodbye was to my DIL before we lost her to cancer. One I would love to say “goodbye” to is a neighbor. They actually take pictures of our friends, their car & tag numbers. They think because we have a lot of company that we are doing drugs. Wrong. I told my family to “kill them with kindness” and I wave at them every time I see them out, smile and go on. They never any one visit them. They got mad because we had too much company on Christmas Eve. We live across the street from them.
Please enter me in your contest. Have a blessed week.
Oh, my, your neighbors sound rather un-neighborly! I’d do the same thing: smile and wave. I admire what you’re doing. Sorry you lost your DIL to cancer. I wish we could smile and wave away cancer! I once said that I hated cancer, a true statement. Thanks for writing! To enter the contest I need a way to get a hold of you should you win …
It was the hardest, thing for me to lose my Grandmother. She was my bestfriend.She helped to become the person I am today.I miss her evrryday. She is in my thoight’ as I go threw my life.
I’m so sorry you lost your grandmother, your best friend, Sarah. I was very close to one of my grandmas and drove all the way across the country twice to live with her, plus I visited her often. I miss her too. I have several photos of her in the house and other reminders. Thanks for writing!
The hardest thing for me to give up was when my mamaw went to Heaven. I still miss her every day of my life. Sharma Darby
Hi, Sharma, you and I are in the same boat. Never does a day go by that I don’t miss my mother. Or is your mamaw your grandma? My mom was a sculptress and my house is filled with her creations, plus my photos of her.
Bill leaves quite a legacy in his photos, people will enjoy them for always. what I’d like to say goodbye to, is messy chaos in relationships. I’m at an age where peace is just too good. I want to say hello to new beginnings….
What a great attitude, Virginia! No more messy chaos. We are never too old to start new relationships and enjoy peace. Thanks for writing!
Hi Kate, I was so saddened to hear about Bill’s passing; I have one of his photographs and a book on the Amish by him. I hope the store will remain open, with new owners. I’ve never been to this area or the state either and hope to get there sometime within the next couple of years. I love all things Amish. You asked if we had lost something and had it replaced-four years ago my neighbor and walking partner passed from cancer but it opened the door for me to meet another neighbor and since then we have become best friends and walking partners. Now this spring we will move to a new neighborhood, 7 miles away but I pray our closeness will continue. I have lost many beloved dogs but can’t imagine life without a pup. I’d love a chance to win one of your books. Please enter me in the drawing.
Hugs, Noreen
werhis3@gmail.com
i was very sad to hear Bill Coleman had died, too, Noreen. I’m so sorry you lost your walking partner to cancer. Just before we moved in this house, a woman several doors away died of cancer. She was best friends with a woman across the street, whom I’d known as a child … and then we became the closest of friends. I hope your new neighborhood is filled with unexpected opportunities for friendship and joy. Good luck in the contest!
I can see why that would be difficult. The pictures are extraordinary! Would love to read Pennsylvania Patchwork, Kate!
I want you to read Pennsylvania Patchwork, Sonja! Good luck in the contest!
My farewell was when my son was stillborn. I was eagerly awaiting his birth (didn’t know the sex yet ) and went in for non stress test and his heartbeat couldn’t be found. This was a sad day for me but the encouragement is that one day I will see him again. He lives forever in my heart.
Dawn C from Ohio
Oh, Dawn, few things could be sadder. I can imagine he will forever live in your heart. He’s waiting for you! Thanks for writing.
The hardest thing in my life was saying goodbye to by Dad a few years ago. I look at as also I’ll see you soon in glory. Bill Coleman will be missed. I know he sure wouldn’t trade us places, as I know my Dad wouldn’t either. Wonderful we are given the promise of eternal life as long as we are a child of the King
How wonderful to know that you’ll see your dad again, Diana! But I’m sorry for your loss. I miss my father terribly and would have liked to have him around for a few more years. Which is probably being selfish.
That’s funny how you’re talking about saying goodbye because yesterday, I said goodbye to friends who had moved to England from the US. It was really sad and I shed some tears, that’s one of the things that will be wonderful about heaven. No more goodbyes! ljgarrity80 at gmail dot com
What a lovely thought, Lisa! No more goodbyes in heaven! Sometimes, here on earth, tears are medicinal. Thanks for writing in entering the contest. Good luck!
Would love to win a book. angelachesnut246@gmail.com
Thanks for entering the contest! Good luck!
It was a sad day when I found out about the passing of Bill Coleman.I love his portraits.It is so very hard to say goodbye to those we love,pets or humans.I had to say goodbye to my baby(my doggie)just a couple months ago and I miss her so much.Thanks for sharing this post.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for writing, Jackie. Sounds like you and I have a lot in common. Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
Such sad news! My saddest time was when my dad passed away suddenly when I was 20. I never got to say goodbye, he had a massive coronary and died before I even got to the hospital. I would love to enter the contest.
k_hanns@yahoo.com
A 20-year-old woman is much too young to be without her dad, Karla. My heart goes out to you. Your story touched me deep inside. You are entered in the contest! Good luck.
REBECCA STEPHEN 5840 W 36TH AVE GARY, IN 46408 RSTEPHEN8103@SBCGLOBAL.NET
Thanks for entering, Rebecca! Good luck!
God has called another one of his angels home. His photos have been a blessing to me. would love to win one of your books.
impicbb@juno.com Valerie
I feel the same way, Valerie. His photos blessed and will continue to bless me. Thanks for entering the contest!
I live in a very big convent and we have to move March 22 into a very small home which is being built in the factory. I know nuns are known not to have very many things but it is still hard for me to let go of some of the things I have acquired from my family especially. Of course, letting go of my parents was the hardest.
I would love to win either novel. flowersmarylou85@gmail.com
Your story sounds fascinating, Mary Lou! Thanks for writing and entering the contest. Good luck!
Having to say goodbye to a precious previous pastors wife that was a very good friend of mine this past year was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. God needed her more than I did I suppose. I can’t wait to see her again some day!! Donna d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com
That sounds like a very sad farewell, Donna. Sigh. I had one of those and still miss my dear friend. Thanks for entering the contest!
My saddest good-bye was when my grandpa who raised me passed away.
I look forward to reading this book and would love to win this contest!
Wen, do I have your contact info somewhere so I can enter you? I might. I’m sorry to hear of your loss of the wonderful grandpa who raised you.
I would like very much to win a copy of one of your books, Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork. I have not read any of your books and am very anxious to do so. I was born and raised in Central PA and do truly miss the Amish. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this contest to win one of your books! jynhoffman@yahoo.com
I’d love you to read one of my books! Thanks for visiting my blog and entering to giveaway. Good Luck!
I would love to win one of your books. I love to read about the Amish. Thank you for your contest. lovablemom1951@yahoo.com
Thank you for entering the contest, Marilyn! Good luck!
Would say it to the cold weather
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Goodbye cold weather! Be gone! You’re entered in the contest. Good luck!
One of your best blogs. So sorry to hear about Bill Coleman’s passing. He’s a fabulous photographer. I’m glad his son is carrying on the business.
Thanks for your kind words, Judy! I’m also glad Bill’s son, Noah Coleman, a very gracious man, is carrying on.
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Miriam Roberts is my sister. She told me about your books. I would love to win a copy of your book. Blessings to you as you write. Ruthie my address wrmusser@frontiernet.net