Project365 - My Heart Stopped !

Introduction

For a very long time, our family has been fans of the WHL Calgary Hitmen hockey team. They are the junior league, with 17-21 year old players who are taking their shot at the NHL. It is fantastic hockey, and yet still highly family-oriented. Needless to say, we always enjoy the games.

Photographers will tell you that shooting hockey is tough. The high speed nature of the game, coupled with the bright lights and the effect of the reflection off the ice surface is especially challenging. It's one I have wanted to tackle for some time. Alas, the venue for our beloved Hitmen, the Scotiabank Saddledome, specifically prohibits the use of "professional-looking" cameras at the games ! But there's no similar prohibition against camera phones, or "point & shoot" cameras. I know, right ? Stupid policy...
Anyway, in the items rescued from my mother's belongings at the Retirement Castle before she died was a "point & shoot" camera. I figured "What the heck !" Let's give it a try. So I took it to the game & took a few photos.
The Setup
Camera - a Nikon Coolpix L22, Venue - the Scotiabank Saddledome
The Photos
I shot off a couple of dozen photos with this camera. After my Canon 60D, I can't say I was very impressed ! The camera kept entering "sleep" mode; there was a VERY noticeable lag between depressing the shutter and the photo being captured - I kept feeling like I was missing the shots; the recovery time between photos til I could shoot the next was about six seconds ! It made me recognize JUST how much I like my Canon !
But it wasn't until I downloaded the photos that my heart stopped...

I hadn't thought to check or clear the memory card on the camera. These are the last known photographs of our Mother when she was alive. They are dated Dec 6, 2011 - about two months before her stroke and Dad's passing.

I'm extremely happy that the last photo I have of our Mother is one of her smiling, accompanied by the wonderful caregivers at Trillium Ridge Retirement Community. This is how I want to remember her...








Lessons Learned
I have no idea - I'm still blown away to have found these !