I missed the announcement that the photo shoot for the evening had been cancelled. I figured it out while waiting for the ferry without another photographer in sight. I went ahead and rode the ferry anyway, and also rode the sunset cruise out of Clearwater beach. The sliver of sky at the horizon provided enough sunset color to make me happy that day, and happy with my pictures, but they look different to me now, two years later. Now I’m reviewing pictures from that day and I find myself wondering about all the people who were there, all the dramas going on behind the windows that I photographed that day. Were people enjoying a longed-for vacation? Were there reunions of old friends happening anywhere out there? Engagements? Happy news? Sad news? I was enjoying my day that day even if it hadn’t turned out exactly as I’d expected. But today I know that those hotels and condos are still there, but they may be empty, or nearly so. There may be people enjoying the sunset from home even as I write this. I hope so. The hotels are man made, but the sunset is a gift. It’s still there to be enjoyed.
I don’t know why I never went back and rode the ferry again. My friend just visited me recently and I wish I’d thought to do this with her. Right now I feel like I just can’t wait to go out and do things like this again. I hope I remember to make the most of my opportunities when that day comes.
A Snowbird's Life Through the Lens 