- I'm apologizing, yet again, for my inconsistency. I am trying to post more often, and the ideas are there. Today I write on an idea I've been percolating for three days.
- Have you ever sat and pondered the idea of what's on the other side of the camera's shutter? I've attempted to attach an image that's depicts, in some way, my thought or the heart of the piece I've written. Most recently I've committed to using only Sara's work. I love her eye and have always wanted to find a way to connect her passions to mine. This venue has proved a perfect way to do just that. This past weekend; her eye proved to be the inspiration, yet again.
- Have you ever given pause to consider, what's on the other side of the camera's shutter? In this picture we see The American Falls as seen from the Canadian Side, The Bridal Veil Falls are just to the right. Probably not the most breath taking shot ever taken, but undoubtedly one of the best Sara & I have yet to shoot of the falls. The real beauty for me was being able to capture the early part of the melt, with snow still on the rocks and ice still clogging up in the lagoon area. I wonder how many are curious as to what's not being seen, the happenings behind the shutter. The other tourists hurrying to get to their lunch dates, some wondering aimlessly, awestruck by the power of the place. Locals, frustrated by traffic and aimlessly wondering tourists. None of these are in the shot, yet they were all there. I can attest to it; I was there, in the moment, seeing it all. This moment in time; frozen by the camera's shutter, is still very fresh in my minds eye. Who might believe that in the hour it took for the falls to dump their 2.5 billion gallons of water; a miracle took place. Like that number isn't mind boggling enough, a life, a marriage, a family were all being saved. It was happening, I was there to witness all the goings on, just behind the camera's shutter.
- We hear about drug addiction, the dangers of tobacco, frivolous sex, alcoholism, the evil things going on, on the internet. We hear about all of these; and how families are being ripped apart. The degradation of the family core, and divorce. How one in every (blah,blah,blah) marriages end in divorce, and cheating spouses, and pornography; we are quite literally inundated with non-stop horror and fear about all the evil out there and why we should guard against it. How often do you hear about the families that have weathered the storms and are still holding on. How many stories do you hear about a husband and wife circling the wagons and fighting to the bitter end for their marriage and family.
- Well there it is ... as you look at the American, and Bridal Veil Falls, click on the image and get a good sense of it. Then pause ... now think about the eyes that were looking through the view finder. The lives being lived in that moment. Give pause to the struggles, and victories, and all of the tourists milling about. This is not a story about family, as much as it is a story that honours friendship. There were no siblings, rushing to the rescue, no parents sharing the benefit of their wisdom and providing intelligent , specific direction. As a family fell apart, and lives were left devastated and in ruin. Friends, showed up. People known for nine or ten years, people known for five or six months. These were not life long family members, they were friends, who truly loved and showed genuine concern. When money, family, children were real questions and concerns; these friends, removed those obstacles and gave a marriage room. They nurtured, cared and doted upon a broken couple; simply when they saw a need. No Questions Asked. Miracles do happen, they even have names; like Gerry, Mike, Rhodesy, Adam. There will always be those that judge first, repay honesty with anger and bitterness. Still, those that bend a knee, and humbly submit a request, to a power greater than themselves are the true warriors. These are the fighters, I stand beside. I need no family blood line with brothers like these. There have been men, many powerful and brave examples to read about and study throughout the ages, and yet right behind that camera shutter, you can miss the the heroes making history right now. While your eyes move across the image being focused on, the true story goes untold.
- There are warriors, fighting for families, they barely know, making miracles happen; it's going on everyday, right behind the camera's shutter. I Know, I've lived it, I was there ...
- I'll sleep, in my home tonight, with my wife, and children, and family intact, Oh we'll be a statistic, just not the ones you'll read about, they don't tell you all the success stories ...
- I'll try to ... Love, S.
