This kindly bearded phizog belongs to the gentleman who radiated the most winsome generosity ever, and I hadn’t met him in person before.
It’s no surprise to his family, friends, and students that Dave LaBelle would drive 450 miles in one day just to attend the book talk of a social media friend.
We’d “met” a couple of years earlier through an online writers’ conference, where he was a presenter. Afterwards I contacted him about his novel, Bridges & Angels: The Story of Ruth. I read and reviewed it. He read my first book, Leora’s Letters.
Both books are family stories, both deal with horrendous losses. We connected because of those stories.
A year later I asked if he’d share his story with Our American Stories, which he readily agreed to. (It runs about 15 minutes.)
He’s also a photojournalist and has taught at the university level. He lugs a black camera with big lensy things on the front. A cellphone camera is my style, so I didn’t expect to enjoy his books about photography. But one promised that I wouldn’t need to know about f-stops and such, called “I don’t want to know all the technical stuff. . . I just want to shoot pictures.” Perfect. And the writing is delightful.
Recently Dave read Leora’s Early Years: Guthrie County Roots. The day before I was to give a book talk about it in Guthrie Center, he sent an email with his compelling reflections about it.
Well, you can’t miss a tall man with a cap and a white beard filling the doorway of the library in Guthrie Center. I was surprised, and yet not, having picked up on his genuine character through social media. Afterward Dave mingled with the audience, sharing some of his own books. His surprise visit enhanced an already-perfect day.
God blesses us through other humans, their benevolence. May Dave’s serendipitous visit always remind me to radiate generosity to others.
Here’s David LaBelle’s website. You may also order books and prints from his website, and sign up for workshops. A beautiful 15-minute video about his work, “connecting the eye and the heart.”
My review of Bridges & Angels.
Dave photographed my handsome “support staff.”
Love this story!
It was such well-timed encouragement!
Wonderful photo of the two of you! Yes! Blessings abound! This was a great post to read!!! 🙂
Thank you, Linda. Still basking!
I so enjoyed that beautiful video!!! Thank you for sharing!
The winsome themes in the video also show up in his books about photography.
I believe that people are put on our path for reasons we probably won’t ever understand. It sounds like you have made a wonderful friend.
This writing journey (while still dealing with fibromyalgia) has been one amazing answer to prayer after another, but none that I had anticipated. Dave is the latest! I’m thankful our timelines over lap.
What a wonderful blessing 🙂 This made me smile from ear to ear
Thank you, Sharon! I’m still grinning! ha
How wonderful when others give so generously. The Christian writing community truly is a gift. Thanks and God bless!
How fantastic to have that kind of support!
So unexpected makes it even more fun! Thank you, Eilene.
You must have been thrilled! I just watched the video you shared, and Dave’s photographs and his comments brought tears to my eyes. What a remarkable human being.
Thank you so much for your note, Liz! Yes indeed, he is.
You’re most welcome, Joy!
Nice shot of you. Blessings, Alan
Thank you, Alan. It was such a blessed day.