Carmel, IN Light and Shadow Telling Stories
It was the balmiest night of the 4th weekend. The sun was slow to set over Carter Green during the grand finale of Carmel Fest 2021. It was a 4th of July weekend that just kept coming. It was Monday and I had been painting it red, white and blue since Friday. But here we were sweating eagerly in those pop-up chairs.
As a photographer, I am always on the hunt for perfect light but when I think about it, it is not a hunt at all; it just shows up. But you have to recognize it just as you recognize an old friend who you hope is coming to the party and YESS - there they are. And that’s what happened.
I looked up and there they stood in serious attention to the mesmerizing rendition of “America the Beautiful” almost weeping from My Yellow Rickshaw’s Nathan Klatt’s violin. It stirred us and put a freeze on the buzzing amidst us. We needed it.
And in that moment as I gazed across the plain of people, I knew that God had shed his grace on me. There she was - my loyal of elemental friends - perfect light. She was dancing on this young family’s heads and for that matter into their hearts and minds. They became the vibe; love of God, family, and country.
The grain in the image? Long view, short lens. It is imperfect but I go with it anyhow because I love it. And when you think about it, that is kind of like our country, our state, our city, our family, and probably, if we are honest, each of our lives. Imperfection. But you go with it because you know that all you need is the light to make the shadow work for you. Wait for it. It happens.
The sun sets and the light rests but you hope still that another day will follow. A brighter time. I pray. I always have. And it always has emerged - the good light; a brighter time.
And that brings me to one of my favorite lines of this testimony of will in “America the Beautiful.”
O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
