"In the Shadow of Greatness and Courage"

The photo had been taken. It was now named. It had to be and I had to do it. They belonged to me. In a place where children learn to skate, this grand picture had been seen in the mind of the photographer. Click went the camera. This picture would soon be mine in a place of honor for all to see.

I teared up. I was their proud grandmother. It struck me like lightening. Under the distant florescent light, stationed on the ice, sat the mammoth machine called a Zamboni. In front of it, 4 child-like figures, shadows more likely, watched in awe, through the huge picture window inside the arena stage. Oh My, I thought. This was living art.

This newest crop of skaters, 2 pairs of very young male cousins, were fascinated by this new moving machine in front of them. The Zamboni was massive and truck-like, something they were all familiar with and intrigued about. A picture had been taken of this moment in time. What struck me was the position of these photogenic beauties: only their backs could be seen, their faces unseen, these shadows of greatness. I was so moved. A copy of this picture would be hung in a place of honour, I knew. This new generation, aged 7,6, 4 &3, was up close and flourishing. My heart had been touched.

A few months ago, our local public figure had invited the community to a  free two-hour skate. This well-attended event, with hot chocolate being offered, included close family members.  It would be a delightful Saturday afternoon for the four inseparable cousins, their dads and grandpa. The other grandchildren, all girls, aged 3,1,1, were too young for this adventure. Next year, perhaps? Their grandfather would attend today. 

Being with his grandchildren made grandpa happy and proud. They were all a part of him, too. Unlike Momsey, grandpa could skate and well he did. In his youth, he could have qualified for a look-see in the NHL. A musician in the NHL? Why not? But today it was simply a relaxing, fun time with family at his side at the local arena.

Upon viewing the picture of that indoor scene taken that January, - 4 little boys, in various dramatic standing poses, with uneven heights and backs towards the viewing audience - I felt its impact. I needed that picture. I had fallen in love, again.

I knew where it would hang, how large it would be. It would be the first thing anyone saw upon entering the room. It would remind us all of the brilliance, camaraderie, and love found in the children we all are so very lucky to have in our lives. Children connect us to life! All it took was a camera, with genius on one end, to tell the story. In one thousand words or less, a photo said it all, simply and with love. ...