This is a family playing with sparklers. I learned that taking pictures of fireworks is very tricky. Most of the ones that were not overexposed look terrible because of UCM (unintentional camera motion). Oh well.
A random fireworks memory:
One 4th of July, Mr. and Mrs. S. took the church youth group camping. They and their two children lived in a tiny, cluttered and filthy three-room house. Yes, including the kitchen, there were three rooms. Theirs was definitely a lifestyle alien to the one I knew, which included not only more rooms but also activities like washing the dishes. But they were fine youth group leaders and the camping trip went well. From that particular trip I have an odd memory of a fabulous wrestling match with their son, who was maybe a couple years younger than me, small and wiry. We were equally matched and we rolled around happily on the dusty ground for a long time. If I was camping with the youth group, I must have been too old for that sort of roughhousing, but it seemed quite natural. But then again, why do I remember the event so clearly that I can almost taste the dust?
In the evening we drove into Benton Harbor, or maybe St. Joe, to watch the fireworks from a little park overlooking the lake. Mr. S. sat on a park bench and told of their wedding night. It was a very short story, just a couple lines really, stating that they got married and then they went home. But he repeated the story many, many times, in each repetition savoring the punch line a little more than the last time: “when we got home, that’s the when fireworks really started.” Nudge nudge, wink wink. Maybe we weren’t quite appreciative enough. But really, how is a newly minted teenager supposed to react when a grownup wants you to think about his wedding night?
Nicely captured - Most likely the only sparklers I'll see this weekend, as I've always been a bit afraid of them (Yes, I would hold them, but only for a second!) And a very interesting 4th story - I can understand why you would remember it!
That reminds me- I need to get some sparklers for when Leigh comes to visit! Wow- I am glad none of my youth group advisors felt compelled to talk about their wedding night! Fun shot!
Hmmm! I suspect that this couple would not be accepted as youth leaders today, although whether that is a good or bad thing, I'm not sure! I like the abstract nature of this image and the very direct nature of your writing this month. Thank you for your honesty and frankness.
