While walking along yesterday I was completely self-indulged in careless cursing over the lack of parking that was causing me to park blocks from my doctor's office. I later realized that a funeral at a nearby church was the culprit for the lack of parking and I of course felt horrible for thinking bad things about the droves of people in the area that day, but in the moment life was all about me and I was being "put-out" by having to walk to my apopintment.
My mind paused in the useless worry over being late and I looked up to see a line of heritage houses. The one that caught my attention was very well cared for. Both the house and the yard (despite it being the middle of winter) were beautifully kept and at the base of the stairs was this little fountain.
Despite being Italian myself, I'm not usually a fan of cement decorations (aside for the occasional pair of cement shoes I happily day-dream about from time to time). Something truly struck me about this setting and I felt an almost desperate need for my camera. I've lost my little point and shoot a few months ago and because this was a trip to the doctors', I didn't have my dslr with me. I was horribly disappointed that I couldn't take this feeling, this moment, this image with me, as I forced myself to start walking again. I looked back numerous times until it was out of sight and tried to burn the image in my mind once more.
Today I had the opportunity and just a few moments to run home, grab my camera between my sons' hockey games and return to this house. I left the baby and my son in the van to play with his iPod and dance to J's booming music, as I got my camera out and walked towards the house. I glanced at the windows and wondered briefly if anyone was home, but didn't figure they'd mind too much even if they were. I found the perfect spot to stand, on a little cement block wall, and began to adjust my camera settings.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. I looked up and was surprised by an older Italian lady just coming around the corner of the house on the flagstone walk. I greeted her and explained who I was and what I was doing. She laughed and in broken english she told me to have fun, then she headed down the street on foot. By the looks of the cloth bags in her hand, I'd imagine she was headed out for groceries and I was again reminded of my attitude the previous day when I'd been forced to walk just a couple of small blocks. without groceries. and I'm young. and fit.
This street, this house, this lady and this fountain, all brought my life a little more into perspective for me these past two days. The feelings I had before spotting the house were as concrete and hard as they were after I'd stopped and observed and allowed myself a few minutes to truly "feel" the moment, they had just shifted slightly.
The absolute need I had to return to that spot with my camera was overwhelming and made me think harder about my passion for photography and why I do it. It's not only a passion, it is my love and my need to document and remember every detail of this wonderful life.
Until next week...
