When the story doesn't matter

Written March 20, 2023

Day 27 of 40 in a 45-day period: I have a confession to make - I have an insurance story written. One day I presented another of my rather vague picture requests to my dad and then realized it would probably take some time for him to find it or something similar. I already had my writing done, and in a panic at the possibility of missing a day, I wrote another story with a picture I had on hand and shared that one.

Naturally my dad found the perfect picture in less than an hour. I decided to hang onto the original story so I’d have a back-up option available in case the day comes when I sit down and no words come or I’m taken down by a stomach virus.

The notion of the insurance post is a little ridiculous, since I said I’d write for 40 of the 45 days of this Lenten season. However old habits die hard and the thought of not making it to the full 45 days makes me feel queasy. Changes in our Lenten practices take time to settle in I suppose.

On Friday I sent my dad more vague photo requests for future stories, and I asked for this specific photo. I was too little to remember taking this picture or this vacation at the beach so I don’t own the story behind it. But there’s something about this picture that I’ve always loved; it makes me smile.

I also have questions. Why was everyone so comfortable with four kids dangling off the ledge of the condo? How windy was it and again, how was that not a factor in sitting kids on the ledge? Why was my mom wearing a sheet?

I have to assume my dad was the photographer given the fact that everyone’s eyes are open, almost everyone is looking at the camera and he captured such a great moment. I’m sure if I asked around I’d be able to piece together the story behind this picture and questions would be answered.

However some things are better left unsaid and I think for me, it will always be a moment in time that reflects three generations who got together and enjoyed a good laugh and gale force winds.

For today, we’ll leave it at that and my insurance post will wait in the wings. It’s probably only a matter of time until that stomach virus hits.