AustLit

'Dear Lainie, 
'I keep a picture of you on my fridge. It's black and white, the first photo I ever processed. Your big, dopey dog smile fills the frame. You were the subject of my first photography assignment. I was starting a new chapter of my life as you were nearing the end of yours. The picture reminds me of how you grew old: heavy, less steady on your feet, your dark eyes cloudy and faded. You were mostly happy, though sometimes I got the feeling you were tired of being an eternal optimist. Maybe your life had become too simple and monotonous. After all, you rarely left the house. ' (Introduction)