Change. Change is that one constant we can count on to be present with us at all times. Most people struggle with change and become angry with too much change. When I facilitated groups as a social worker I would show my clients the result of removing the “ch” and adding an “r” onto the word you get “anger.” Anger is how most people feel when confronted with change. Change can also be a positive, something we can embrace as “change” is one of the constants in life. It’s only when we deny and ignore change that it becomes problematic.
Last Thursday I made my last weekly trip through East Otto, NY. This was a part of my week I always enjoyed. No traffic and beautiful scenery. I first saw this barn several years ago when I decided to find a new route to the campus. As a history buff I would think often about things such as “How old is the barn?” ‘Who owned the barn?” ‘Is the barn still being used?” What I enjoy about structures such as this are their rich character and history. I love the discolored, weathered wood. It gives the barn character. The wood stretches down to the grass which surrounds it.
I like the rolling road which stretches past the barn seemingly going on forever, but to where? This road is a metaphor for life. Most individuals think life will go on forever and we spend little time enjoying or being mindful of the present moment and seeing, identifying where we are on our journey through life. My favorite writing assignment in high school English was to interview my grandparents and as I listened with anticipation to their reminiscing of their life. As a child I loved reading stories especially those punctuated by photographs. When I listened to my grandparents tell their stories the “photographs” were in my mind as I used my imagination to help me see.
The ability to tell stories through photographs is what attracted me to photography and eventually to wedding photography. As a guest at weddings over the years I enjoyed watching the bride and groom begin their lives anew. Traveling their path through life together, as one. I have always loved this about photography and have a favorite photograph of my grandfather hanging in my office. I retouched the photograph as part of a photography class in high school and look at it often with fond memories of my relationship with him.
I hope that you, my reader find the same enjoyment through photographs, realize their importance as a historical reference in our family are able to find your path in life.
