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A Mottern Miracle
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 08:44AM 
James T. Mottern, Jr.
1944 - 2014
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Some people are destined to be unforgettable. Jim Mottern was one of those people. His obituary states that he "cherished God and country," and I know for a fact that he did indeed do that. But wait. There's more.
Speaking of forgetting: He had forgotten more about photography than I'll ever know, yet he was kind enough to "talk camera" with me when I could still only dream of owning a DSLR.
In fact, the first Nikon DSLR I held in my hand belonged to Mr. Jim. (I'd been working with a Nikon, but it was a point-and-shoot.) And yes, he let me focus it out the window of his studio, and even press the shutter release. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
On the Christmas Day I opened my Nikon D3100, a gift from my husband and my children, before the wrappings hit the floor I was on the phone to Jim and Donna.
I knew they wouldn't mind my calling on Christmas. I was crying for joy and excitement and they shed a few tears of happiness too. (At least, I know Donna did.) They understood the emotion of the moment, and they rejoiced with me.
Mr. Jim was not the type to sugar-coat anything. Nevertheless, he knew what mattered and he never minimized the potency of dreams. I think that's why I liked him so much.
That, and his cooking. On the day in October of 2010 when I first had the pleasure of visiting with Jim and Donna in their East Tennessee cottage, Grey Havens, he made us a bodacious salad that featured almonds he'd toasted in the microwave.
He taught me how to do that, and I still toast those almonds exactly like Mr. Jim did. It may not sound like much to you but it's much to me. And yes; there's a trick to it.
The last time I talked to Mr. Jim, it was by phone. He wasn't sick yet, and like always, we talked camera. He helped me by not necessarily rubber-stamping my every inclination. He was honest and forthright.
My kind of people.
I'm grateful for all the good -- and even a few of the not-as-good -- things that these years of blogging have brought me. I haven't deserved any of the benefits but I am fiercely protective of them.
Nobody who does not lovingly tend a blog is able to understand what the friendships -- yes; genuine friendships -- formed through it, are really like. They're special.
The folks I have met (and a few I haven't) as a result of sharing the experience of blogging -- as well as having other interests in common -- have enriched my life in ways I'm not sure even I, with all my many ready words, could fully describe.
Jim and Donna have been a large part of that for many years. They've listened and never made me feel as though I owed them anything in return. (That's huge.) They've encouraged me and they've challenged me. I am forever in their debt.
Mr. Jim was so proud of his wife, his beloved Donna. She'd taken up photography later than most and became an instant artist with a talent so original, he told me he could pick out her photos in a lineup, if he had to. He was as passionate about what he loved as he was unpretentious about everything else.
They were enthusiastic globetrotters, and they'd hoped to see more of the world together. It's not to be, but there is a trove of memories I know Donna will process and share in time. She lost her mother only weeks ago, and now this blow, on the day after Christmas.
It's hard to imagine the depth of her grief, so we give her to the One Who knows.
Miz Donna, faithful friend, photography maven, proprietress of Cottage Days and Journeys, and now widow of an extraordinary man whom I know you'll miss every moment of every day, I offer my condolences -- along with my friendship and love, and my gratitude for all that you and your husband shared with me. I haven't said it enough.
You and Mr. Jim were a great team, and that hasn't changed. You will always be a great team. He's gone on ahead but in lots of lives, lots of hearts, he made a difference. The sort of difference that never dies. And you're part and parcel of every last bit of that, both then and now.
My thoughts and prayers are with you on this New Year's Eve, as they will be throughout Twenty-Fifteen and beyond.
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Is there a home where heavy earth
Melts to bright air that breathes no pain,
Where water leaves no thirst again,
And springing fire is Love's new birth?
If faith long bound to one true goal
May there at length its hope beget,
My soul that hour shall draw your soul
For ever nearer yet.
= Dante Gabriel Rossetti =
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Reader Comments (6)
Thank you so much for this beautifully written and thoughtful tribute to my beloved Jim. He was a one-of-a-kind man, and the type that is not forgettable. He has, indeed, touched a LOT of lives during his 70 years on this earth and made a positive difference in those lives. I know that his love, devotion, and guidance will live on with me and continue to multiply. He didn't shy away of telling me in the past few years of his pride in my photography work. I was always humbled to receive his praise because he never gave it lightly to anybody. He was so devoted to me in every way, setting a perfect example for other husbands. The world would be a vastly better place if there were more men like him. And I will cherish and love him with all my heart forever. For him, he will be reunited with me in a blink of an eye. Sadly, I will have to wait longer because earth time ticks by at a slower pace. I know he will look after me from the heavens (he promised!) as I forge a new chapter in my life. I am so glad that he had a profound and positive effect on your life. He possessed a very old and wise soul.
Beautifully written, Jenny.
Although I didn't have the honor of knowing Mr Jim in person, nor Donna, they have been in my heart for quite a long while. I feel, though, that I came to know her beloved husband through her own words, and now yours.
Rest in peace, dear Mr Jim.
xoxo
I'm so sorry for the loss of Jim. I know if he was your friend, he was a good guy. I'll be praying for your family.
Beautifully written Jenny, I didn't know Mr. Jim, but I did feel like I did and I know Donna always made his love shine through in her words. He'll be very missed. I'm so sorry for Donna, as you say her grief is HUGE.
P.S. You will have to tell me how he toasted almonds in the microwave.
I guess you could say I have gotten to know of Donna and a little about Jim due to Donnas blog. I also have admired her pictures . We will probably never meet in the real world but I feel her loss and the time it will take for her to heal.