Dear ,

Today's issue of Picture to Ponder is revision of Issue 108, May 24, 2005, when I was doing four issues a week!! If you are curious as to how the ezine looked then, you can click on the link above and follow the issue links at the bottom of each page to go backward or forward.

You'll see, as you look below, that the subject of today's featured photograph is my feet in my late, beloved husband Sam's lap, as he used my legs for a "table" on which to write. I'm thinking there is some reason, the reminder of this photo came up for me this week, so I'm going with my gut and using it and the story.

Sam was the original photographer in the family. See B&W Photos. If he were alive today, we would be celebrating his 80th birthday this coming Sunday, January 29th.

Given so much of who I am today comes out of our 47-year loving marriage, his support of my ongoing, changing interests and our ultimate combined areas of activity, it seems fitting that we honor him here today. For, in effect, you, who appreciate Picture to Ponder, are also indirectly benefiting from his contribution to me/us.

Today's Photo and Story -

The photo of my feet in Sam's lap, as he rests a notebook on my legs while writing, was one of those totally unplanned actions and photos. I was interviewing him for my Artist-of-the-Month column in our community newsletter and doing my own note taking as I rested my feet. (See INTERVIEW, if you are curious about the article and learning more about him.)

Those of you who have been subscribing for some time, know Sam had been afflicted with Parkinson's Disease. The most challenging consequence from which he suffered was his oftentimes inability to verbalize his thoughts, much of the time struggling to get his words out. I generally got even more frustrated with this than he and would often simply say, "Forget it!"

In order to do the article though, I needed the information, so I suggested he write it down. My legs became the "perfect" table, since my feet were already in his lap.

We peacefully sat, each doing our own writing, when I glanced up and was suddenly "taken with the scene." I naturally went for the camera and we were fortunately able to recreate the positions and carry on naturally as I started photographing.

Sam's spontaneous humor kicked in when we looked at the photos later. His first comment on seeing this one was, "I always wanted to be a podiatrist!" (Not so; simply joking.) What might have ordinarily been a very agitating time turned into one of peace and pleasure, one that even today, seven years later brings smiles as I revist the photo and the memory.

Self-Reflecting Queries -
As I look back, when Picture to Ponder first started it did have questions integrated into each issue. Sometime in June, I separated them out to be in a Self-Reflecting Queries section. In May 2005 I asked:

"Where in your life can you look at things from a totally different point of view?

Where can you bring play into them? And, is your camera handy, as well as your pen and paper?"

Interesting how the questions have been consistent over the seven plus years, wouldn't you agree?

AND, for this particular issue where I'm honoring Sam and the relationship we had, I invite you to look at a relationship in your life. Find one particular time that you can look back on that brings back memories of peaceful and loving communication. What elements made it so?

Now I invite you to go one step further and pay attention in the next few days to a situation which has deep love and communication as an integral part of it, one that you can continue to preserve and take into the future. How will you do that?

And, if you are up to a great challenge, observe something happening with a negative charge. Then stop and see what kind of shift you can make to turn it, too, into a positive.

Lastly, if you are willing, please share it with us on the blog. As always have fun with the photos and queries.

Reader's Comments are welcome -
To post them on the Photography and Transformation blog click on the small word "Comment" at the end of NY post. A window will open, asking for your name, email address that will NOT be published, a URL if you have - Your name will be linked to that - and a box with space for you to "Leave a Reply" will be there to type in your response. Then remember to click on "Submit."

If posting on a blog is not your style, please continue to send your comments directly to me. Learning what you are experiencing means a lot. It is part of the reward, for me, of publishing Picture to Ponder.

Guests - If this issue has been passed on to you by a friend, we invite you also to take advantage of a no-cost subscription. Simply click on SUBSCRIBE. You can learn more about Picture to Ponder on our INTRO page.

Peace, Wonder, Joy and Love,
Inspirationally,


Sheila
sheila[a]picturetoponder.com
--
© 2005-12 Sheila Finkelstein
www.SheilaFinkelstein.com - Portal to All My Creative Ventures/
www.NatureArtGifts.com - Gifts from Art in Nature
www.BananaSkyDVD.com - Stress Relief on TV or Computer

twitter.com/InspiredSheila
www.facebook.com/Sheila-Finkelstein

www.SheilaFinkelstein.com/communicationservices.html - Communication Services
www.SheilaFinkelstein.com/businessopportunity.html - Business Opportunity

©2004 - 2012 Sheila Finkelstein - All photos and written content are copyrighted and, unless otherwise noted, the property of Sheila Finkelstein and sheilafinkelstein.com.

Photos and writings may be printed out for personal use and inspiration only. All other rights are reserved. Modification, further reproduction, or distribution of any of the content is prohibited without express written permission. For other uses contact Sheila