Week 2.4: Photographs I Haven't Taken

Week 2.4: Photographs I Haven’t Taken. It seems that almost daily I lament the fact that I don’t have my camera with me...or, I lament how obtrusive my camera is...because it prevents me from taking photos surreptitiously. I’m pretty sneaky sometimes, but there are definitely times when my camera is not at the ready. Still, I see things in photographs. I see moments in slide show.

This week I’d like to share some of the Photographs I Haven’t Taken.

Photograph One: Holiday
Life and work were behind me in the tropics. Family and the holidays waited in the Great Southwest. Transition from tropics to desert winter was rough. I was tired from work and ready for vacation. My flight landed at night. Dad drove the car away from the airport as I tried to snuggle down in the backseat. It was colder than I thought it would be. The city sparkled off to the north while orangey yellow street lights cast triangular glow down through the first snow of the year starting with big, feathery flakes flurrying hastily down. It’s romantic to be greeted with the first snow. I wished aloud that I could photograph that moment. My father told me to take it in my mind. I did.

Photograph Two: Summer
Late afternoon sun slanted its rays from the west as I drove into the warmth. Sirens started. A fire engine swung out into traffic heading east to a call. Men in blue filled the cab. An American flag waved off the back of the truck and filtered the late sun lighting up the stars and stripes. The driver made wide sweeping turns with his right hand steering the truck. His left hand held a bright, lime green popsicle. My hero.

Photography Three: Winter Love
Dark sky. Cold air. I was driving home after midnight. The next day...that day, actually, had a project deadline looming. I was trying to keep my mind from believing lies. I asked for a reminder that I am loved. It was too late to call anyone for a reassurance. Was I really alone? Then, I saw it. A falling star. One of my favorite things. I remembered that He knows all the stars by name. He knows the hairs on my head. I am loved.

Photograph Four: Hotness
Glaring fluorescent lighting in a chain supermarket bounced off of recently polished laminate flooring. A wide aisle flanked with greeting cards on the right, office supplies on the left. Standing alone in the aisle: a well-dressed, clean-shaven, tall, lean, early 30's something man. Black slacks, white button up. Fresh cologne. Pensive. Self-conscious. Borderline overwhelmed, but determined to leave the “Anniversary” section with a card.. Reservations were in an hour. She was waiting at home. I was in love with this shot that I couldn’t take. No one was there to shield my camera. It was too private a moment to ask for permission to photograph. I fought the urge to congratulate him. Happy Anniversary.