When I was quite young and quite small for my size,
I met an old man in the Desert of Drize.
And he sang me a song I will never forget.
At least well I haven’t forgotten it yet.
He sat in a terribly prickly place
But he sang with a sunny sweet smile on his face.
When you think things are bad,
When you feel sour and blue,
When you start to get mad…
You should do what I do!
Just tell yourself Duckie
You’re really quite lucky
Some people are much more…
Oh, ever so much more…
Oh muchly, much-much more
Unlucky than you.
~ Dr. Seuss
I’ve been feeling sorry for myself lately. I’ve been working to complete my pediatric board recertification process–an annoying seven year ritual. Because of it, I’ve had little time to shoot, post or comment lately. I’ve also had the unwelcome realization that I don’t know quite as much as I once did…so there’s a lovely feeling of inadequacy to match my I’m-not-having-much-fun emotions.
These were my feelings that is, until earlier this week we talked with our daughter’s kindergarten teacher who told us a little story. A few days ago, one of the dads walked his little boy to class. It was the dad’s last day at home before shipping out for a tour in Afganistan. Our teacher met them at the door and assured Dad that she and the rest of the class would take very good care of his little boy while he was gone. The man thanked her, gave her a big hug and right there in the classroom, started crying…the kind of crying that is so real, it breaks the hardest of hearts and reminds us of all that is good in our lives.
Here’s to that dad–may he be safe in distant lands and may the moment he hugs his boy again be the stuff of poetry.
35 Comments
Excellent composition!
“I had the blues… because i had no shoes… until upon the street,… I met a man who had no feet.”
May the boy’s father be safe and be home soon.
Hang in there Chris
Life is great… you’ll find time again to shoot.
Amazing,You have done a great job.
I like the light tones and your composition is really awesome….
I know the feeling for not having time to shoot, although at least your “ritual” will be a great accomplishment when it’s complete
Excellent treatment and composition.
what a delicate high key, wonderful and creative your result Chris, really nice, compliments
Imagery and words, together, you have few to match you. Your post is a classic, and a perfect teachable moment for anyone who thinks they have it bad. Great perspective here Dr. Chris. And kudos to Dr. Seuss, who was truly ingenious too.
Great monochrome treatment. Looks like domes of a mosque or something.
Great monochrome treatment. Looks like domes of the mosque or something…well seen.
Cool! Nicely seen!
an exceptional image. fits well with the words. life is prickly, isn’t it? we had a close friend come back from afganistan missing two legs. he’s a young father of two small boys. life just keeps on at the same pace no matter what.
Really beautiful image. And aren’t we so lucky to have communities that put us in touch with the gratitude owed for all the abundance we have in our lives?
I am counting our photoblog connection as part of what I am grateful for today.
A touching post, well done!. We all have those prickly moments in life. Sometimes they are less prickly than others, sometimes more.
Lot of frustration when we don’t have time to click – i know that very well… but such a pleasure to have again our camera in the bag for a great sunny automnal stroll… ! Let’s think this can happen soon
Love the light of your shot ! See you amigo.
Beautifully spoken and shot Chris. Thank you for the reminder. And some loss of fact knowledge certainly doesn’t mean less wisdom or “life well-lived”-ness!
a B&W cactus!!! superb.
This is beautiful – all of it. From the prickly image..to the softly heartfelt story about the dad leaving for Afghanistan. It truly does have a way of putting life into perspective!! Good luck with your boards…
very creative framing and processing, a wonderful image
Nice highkey with amazing symmetries, well done Christopher.
I always seem to end up with tears (the good kind) when I visit your images and words. Always powerful and wise…
wonderful high key, with nice detail.
Very unique treatment of the cactus and I quite like it.
Good idea and really nice processing. The high key looks great.
good luck on the board recertification! wonderful photo … very prickly indeed!
very interesting!
Terrific shot. Love it.
A splendid little bit of home spin philosophy from that wise old sage in the desert…
Interestingly as you get older Chris, you may realise that you’ve not only forgotten stuff – but also forgotten what you’ve forgotten!
Wow, thats a very unique shot. I love the simplcity in the compostion and color.
This one really got to me. Amazing that I feel strong emotion for someone I’ve never met before. The human connection. Things like this are good to remind us how lucky we are. Great post again Chris.
Great patterns and clarity.
Touching writing. Prickly photo. Well done.
The rhyth in this tight compo works so so so well, love it, strong & beautiful.
A beautiful photographic illustration. Beautiful textures on your photo…
I wish you well on the re-certification and all the work and study it must take. I also think of the many little ones you have and will help. I’m thankful for people like you who extend themselves for the good of others. My thoughts and appreciation also go out for this father and soldier who is facing days in danger and away from his family for the benefit of us all. It can be a hard and “prickly” world. I’m thankful for the ones who try to make it a better place even at their own cost.
Fine post! Great image!