Picture This

When Julian and Julianna looked at their wedding picture on their 60th anniversary it brought back endless memories of time gone by. So many memories were flowing freely through each of them, and by their contented smiles, they seemed to be seeing the same memories as if watching a movie or documentary. Of course they were older, but to them, they both looked the same as they did on that youthful wedding day. They were so wrapped up in the celebration of that special matrimonial day, they weren't even aware there was a picture of the photographer being taken while the photographer was taking their picture. But of all their memories from the beginning of their relationship, through the good times and bad, raising children, saving and spending, they do remember the photographer. They remember what was behind the photographer, where the ceremony was held, where all the invited guests were looking on with smiles and wishes of happiness for Julian and Jullianna. His best friend was there, and so was hers. Aunts an uncles, brothers and sisters, brides maids, moms and dads, and all such.

When you look at their wedding picture, the official one, you don't see the photographer. You don't see the people that helped mold their ceremony, the glue that gave the word celebration its meaning for that day. You only see them posing and smiling with resolve to carry onward through life as a team. You my friend, the objective viewer, only sees the little picture when what you think you are seeing is the big picture. They the subjective viewer can see the big picture while they are in reality, looking at the little picture.

A picture may indeed be worth a thousand words, but more often than not, it only captures a small portion of what's really going on at that moment in time and place. One of these days we may be able to stand behind a picture and look out in the direction it was taken. Perhaps that will lend to painting a better picture.