I stood in the crowd taking pictures of Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland while my husband and kids took off to go on their favorite rides. In typical Disney fashion, loud Christmas music filled the park around me. To my right, as I had my eye to the viewfinder on my camera, I heard a melodic male voice softly singing along to the Christmas music. I turned my head to see a lone gentleman on a park bench who instantly reminded me of my grandfather. I'm a sucker for the older generation. I gravitate to them, always have, so I made my way over to the park bench and took a seat. More importantly, I wanted to photograph him and I knew before my time was up on that bench, I would.
He smiled at me as I sat down and I complimented him on his singing voice. In his broken english, he told me that Christmas was his favorite time of year. I told him it was my favorite time, too, especially the music. Now I have to tell you, I have no problem talking to perfect strangers. Ask my husband and he'll tell you it can be a curse or a blessing, but in instances like these, I consider it a blessing. Everyone has a story, everyone, and I want to know them. I just knew this man sitting next to me, who I wanted to photograph and who was singing Christmas carols in his sweet, broken english, had a story. I continued the conversation by asking if he was a local or visiting from out of town and over the next hour I got my story, the story of a man who fell in love with his wife when she was 14 and he was 15 in their small village in Italy and who married young and came to our country 28 years ago to start a new life; about how his wife became a teacher because she loved children and how they raised children of their own and now have many grand children; about why his kids brought him to Disneyland with them because they didn't want him to be alone after his wife had passed away a year ago and how he was quite content to just sit on that park bench and people watch all day long. He grew quiet for a moment and then in his broken english he said with a smile, I'm 80 and life is good, and once again he began to hum to the music. It was then that I asked him if I could take his picture. When he hesitated, I explained how he reminded me of my grandfather and how I missed him. With a dismissive wave of his hand he said, Sure, why not? He didn't seem to want to look at the camera so I took a profile shot. He wanted to see his picture and when I showed him he asked, You like? I do, I said. He seemed pleased with my answer and giving my hand a quick pat, he went back to people watching.
How about you? Have you ever seen someone you didn't know, wondered what their story was and thought, I would love to take a photo of that person. If you have, share your photos with us. If you haven't and have always wanted to, try stepping out of your comfort zone and do it. Ask, and I bet they'll have a story to share, too.
Sunday, December 25, 2011 by 
