Barbara has a weekly shower in her home with the assistance of her youngest daughter, Libby. After Libby prepares the water temperature, Barbara steps in the shower and braces herself against the wall, using a washcloth to cover her face. Libby gently holds and scrubs her mother, with a caring dialogue between the two. Moments of the daily life of a 99-year-old woman residing in Dayton, Ohio. Barbara has lived in her home since 1963 and her life has become limited because of the passing of time. These photographs show Barbara's daily routines, emphasizing her independence and strength. However, there are moments of sadness and isolation. The typical morning begins with a slow descent from the staircase around 9 a.m. Barbara has a simple breakfast. Somedays, she enters her dining room and goes through her mail. Her doctor's visit for macular degeneration, a hereditary disease, brought her to near blindness. Although Barbara couldn't see, she insisted she felt loved by how her granddaughter looked at her. There are more intimate moments of Barbara's weekly shower, when her youngest daughter, who also lives in the home, gets in to help her stay safe. Barbara passed away while the photographer was out of the country. Eleanor plans to continue the story in her grandmother's absence. This photo essay developed the photographer's understanding of familial love and the passing of time.
Date Taken: | 10.2023 |
Date Uploaded: | 12.2024 |
Photo Location: | Datyon, Ohio, United States of America |
Camera: | NIKON Z 6 |
Copyright: | © Eleanor Moseman |