Ryan Jobes Memorial 5K slideshow, Dec. 2010 from anya semenoff on Vimeo.

WILLIAMSTOWN, W. Va. — On Dec. 18, I had the pleasure of joining an incredible group of people in West Virginia. Kind, welcoming, generous, they had come together to celebrate the life of Ryan Jobes.

Ryan died in a car accident five years ago on his way home for Christmas. He was a sophomore at the University of Richmond, an athlete on the UR track and field and cross country team, and in his short time there, he had made a huge impact on the people he met, something he did wherever he went.

Since his passing, his teammates from UR, his friends from Williamstown, his family, and members of the community, have come together to remember him by putting on a 5K memorial run/walk. All the money raised in this event is then put into the Ryan Jobes Scholarship Fund.

I was blown away by how quickly I was accepted into the “Ryan Jobes family” (as his mother put it). They took me in, put me up in their already crowded home, offered food, drink, comfort and warmth. They allowed me into their lives with my camera in tow, and for this I will always be both humble and grateful.

To you all: thank you. Truly. You are such an inspirational group and it was a pleasure to meet you.

Instead of just posting photos here as per usual, I decided to try my hand at putting together an audio slideshow. I was listening to this song – “Timshel” by Mumford & Sons – as I traveled back to Denver, thinking about the events of the weekend, and it struck me as so fitting.

This is my first go at such a thing however, so bear with me as I work out the kinks.

And, if I don’t talk to you before then – Merry Christmas!! May your holiday and New Year be happy, blessed, safe and wonderful.

Love ya’ more than coffee,

-a.e.