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- Happy Birthday Bill--Sedona, Arizona 2008
Happy Birthday Bill--Sedona, Arizona 2008
- By Ocean Morisset
- Published 04/20/2008
- Memorials & Obituaries
- Unrated
Ocean Morisset
New York based photographer specializing in photojournalism and documentary photography, with special emphasis on the Black Gay Community.
View all articles by Ocean MorissetHappy Birthday Bill--Sedona, Arizona 2008
By Ocean Morisset, Photojournalist
On March 28th a group of friends headed out to Sedona, Arizona to fulfill our friend Bill Harmon's final wish. Bill, who transitioned on July 5, 2007 expressed to us that he wanted to be cremated and his ashes dispersed in Sedona, Arizona. For us, this was a mission like none other, and I'm happy that we were able to carry it out. On Bill's birthday March 29th, we hiked along one of the spectactular red rock mountains of Sedona, finding the ideal spot along the "Little Horse Trail". Simple, yet moving, we each took turns saying a few words about Bill, while a recording of his flute song "Peace" played serenly in the background. Afterwards, Steve and I dispered his ashes into the red earth. Bill is really and finally at peace now, and I was honored and blessed to have have shared the experience with a group of special friends: K, Steve, Joe and Christina.
This is my second trip to Sedona. The first time was in 2004 when I went on a spiritual and cleansing retreat after I'd ended my thirteen year relationship. Upon my return, I showed Bill my photos from the trip. He had fallen in love the beauty of the landscape, and admired my ability to seek out healing for myself. Bill loosely planned to make a trip to Sedona, but it never really manifested...at least, not until now.
Below are some photos that show some of the beauty and wonder I experienced in the beautiful landscape of the Sedona desert. In loving memory of my best friend Bill Harmon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL!
On March 28th a group of friends headed out to Sedona, Arizona to fulfill our friend Bill Harmon's final wish. Bill, who transitioned on July 5, 2007 expressed to us that he wanted to be cremated and his ashes dispersed in Sedona, Arizona. For us, this was a mission like none other, and I'm happy that we were able to carry it out. On Bill's birthday March 29th, we hiked along one of the spectactular red rock mountains of Sedona, finding the ideal spot along the "Little Horse Trail". Simple, yet moving, we each took turns saying a few words about Bill, while a recording of his flute song "Peace" played serenly in the background. Afterwards, Steve and I dispered his ashes into the red earth. Bill is really and finally at peace now, and I was honored and blessed to have have shared the experience with a group of special friends: K, Steve, Joe and Christina.
This is my second trip to Sedona. The first time was in 2004 when I went on a spiritual and cleansing retreat after I'd ended my thirteen year relationship. Upon my return, I showed Bill my photos from the trip. He had fallen in love the beauty of the landscape, and admired my ability to seek out healing for myself. Bill loosely planned to make a trip to Sedona, but it never really manifested...at least, not until now.
Below are some photos that show some of the beauty and wonder I experienced in the beautiful landscape of the Sedona desert. In loving memory of my best friend Bill Harmon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL!
Portrait of Bill smiling, 2004
Aloe Plant.
Lone Cactus casts a shadow on the earth.
The trail where Bill's ashes were dispersed.
Cacti
Red Rock Mountain.
House atop a montain.
Cracked earth.
Bill's ashes.
Dappled light along the path.
Steve disperses Bill's ashes.
Joe supports his partner Steve.
Steve, Joe, K, Christina picnic on a mountaintop.
Desert plant detail.
Following the path to the top.
Dead aloe, Still beautiful.
Bill's ashes cover the red earth.
Bill loved plants. I found it fitting that I scatter his ashes around these desert plants.
