Blue Angels

Watching the Blue Angels this weekend reminded me so much about my childhood. Remembering when they came into town every year and hearing the rumble and roar of the jet engines while flying really low overhead (low enough to see every rivet) would really get us excited about the show!

Once the gates would open, we would ride our bikes over to Miramar, cruise to the show, and stay there all day. I never thought that I would ever leave the neighborhood and that I would be here every year to watch them.

Now I’m older… much older. I’ve got a wife, kids, and even a grandchild. And I also live far away from my hometown. So I brought my kids this year to see them. It made me feel good seeing that they got as excited as I did when I was a kid. I’m so glad some things never change!

Quince

Just last week Veronica and I came by to visit Jessica at the hospital. She went in to have surgery to remove a malignant tumor from the right side of her jaw. Because of this, they had to remove a good portion of her jawbone as well.

As I sat there looking at all those tubes and machines attached to her trying to figure out what to say, I couldn't help but think about how many countless number of times she's been here before and how many battles she's already had to overcome. All these years of pain and suffering that she’s had to endure at such a young age really made me realize how petty my problems were compared to hers. It also made me realize just how delicate and precious life really is.

Granted, I’ve known a number of people that have suffered and passed away because of illness. But to see somebody at such a young age that hasn’t even begun to live her life really depresses me, especially when I know that her only wish was that she would be able to graduate from high school with her class.

But I know she’s a fighter. I know that she’ll see another day. After all, at the end of our visit, when I told her to get better soon because I need to take more photos of her, she looked at me, smiled, and gave me a thumbs up!

Liz

Liz. Ben’s closest cousin. They’re inseparable! This year they had a chance to attend the same school together. It didn’t happen though. Ben went on to another school. When Liz found out, she was furious! But after her 1st day, she was fine.

These are the times that I love photographing the kids the most, when they still have their innocence, when life hasn’t had a chance to taint their lives, when they can smile because they feel like it. Even though they may not want to, I know that when they grow up they’ll appreciate it. And the older they get, the more they’ll appreciate it, and so will their grandkids, and their grandkids grandkids…

That’s the magic of photography. To be able to freeze time and capture that moment forever. And the best part about it, you can share…