Jeremiah Gilbert is a math professor but it's his love for travel and photography that really is meaningful to my guest. His mom, Adrienne, was also passionate about seeing the world and Jeremiah is thankful for her inspiration, encouragement, bravery during tough times and endless love. Jeremiah lives in southern California and is an award winning author and photographer who hopes he can inspire something in each of us, perhaps offer a different perspective in his works.
Jeremiah joined me to share stories of his mother, who in his mind was "a straight shooter," she told you exactly how and what she felt. She was a huge inspiration in his life and had hoped to take her on a special trip to Israel for her sixtieth birthday. He did eventually get to bring her with him but not exactly as they had imagined.
At the same time that his mother was ill, his father had a stroke. Just a tough time for the family, but Adrienne insisted that Jeremiah carry on and continue on his journeys however different they may be.
Adrienne was the main money maker in the family. She was the first female technician at Sears, initially repairing smaller appliances and eventually washers and dryers in customers homes. When she'd had enough of that, she moved onto repairs for Sears -in store cashiers, computer systems and video surveillance. Yes, she had to put up with sexism and discrimination in the workforce, but staying true to herself, she put her head down and just kept on working-never looking for any accolades or special treatment. Even if she did win an award, Jeremiah says, "she'd put any certificates or awards from work in a drawer. She didn't need to be celebrated."
Jeremiah was there at the Oncologist appointment when Adrienne got the diagnosis and he was there when she died 6 years later. She knew he had his trip planned to go to Egypt and she insisted he go. It made him very sad to know she wasn't going to be there when he returned.
It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Jeremiah and I thank him for sharing his very personal stories of his mom Adrienne.
There's so much more to hear in our conversation and I've listed more information below about Jeremiah.
Jeremiah is a poet in addition to his other talents. The question below is an excerpt from an interview which originally appeared in Inspired Eye, Issue 71, July 2019. It gives you another perspective of my guest.
"What purpose does photography serve for you?
The essayist Joan Didion once wrote that “We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. We forget what we whispered and what we dreamed. We forget who we were.” For me photography is both a way to remember and a way to share my experiences. Here is where I went and here is what I saw, and hopefully I saw something in a way others had not."
Below is an excerpt from Jeremiah's website about his most recent award winner book released in 2023, "On to Plan C: A Return to Travel"-
On to Plan C:
A Return to Travel
Literary Titan Gold Book Award winner! After more than two years of trip cancellations and travel credits, the world finally started to open again in 2022. Part travelogue and part photo essay, On to Plan C finds its author vaccinated, masked, and eager to get back on the road, assessing the realities of a post-COVID world. Includes nearly two hundred color and black & white photos. “These are some of the most storytelling, poignant, and gorgeous photographs I’ve ever seen” – Indies Today. Download a free PDF sample of the first chapter here.
Photographer
🏆 Award-winning Photographer & Travel Writer
🌍 99 Countries / 6 Continents
✈️ Recent Travels: New Zealand 🇳🇿 and Australia
Jeremiah's book collection:"Can't Get Here from There: Fifty Tales of Travel," "From Tibet to Egypt: Early Travels After a Late Start," and "On to Plan C: A Return to Travel."
BOLD TRAVEL LINK: https://boldjourney.com/meet-jeremiah-gilbert/
Website:https://jeremiahgilbert.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jg_travels/