The Truth Revealed

Just over a month ago I had the privilege of meeting the enchanting singer/songwriter Dana Parish at an event we both were involved in. I fondly and vividly remember a story she shared with the audience introducing her song She Laughed.

She painted a picture of a late dusky afternoon rollerblading in her hometown of New York. In the distance she caught a glimpse of a man on a bike riding full steam ahead. As he got closer and closer, it appeared that he was headed right for her at an alarming speed. Her immediate reaction being fear for her own safety of course quickly changed to anger. Angry that he would be lumbering down the crowded bike path with such reckless abandon. He—and his bike—were rapidly approaching and as she formed a string of choice words together in her head for him, something surprising was revealed that changed everything.

From behind the man came two little arms outstretched like wings. Two arms of this man’s daughter flying from her rear bike seat with the freedom that only the top speeds of her daddy’s bicycle could offer. A wave came over Dana as she was reminded her of her own father; the father that would do anything for his daughter; anything at all to give her the wings to fly.

And as any good singer/songwriter would do, she went home and wrote a song about it with her equally charming partner Andy (whom I also had the pleasure of meeting).

How quickly things can change from what our minds have led us to believe to something totally different. It always amazes me at how sure we see one thing in one moment, and the next, the whole picture changes leaving us with a new perspective. It only takes something small sometimes to put our original ideas on thier ear.

Have you ever seen something through your lens in one way and then somehow it transformed itself into something else entirely? It's the exact feeling I had when I was shooting the series of photos of our peach tree during the chilly days of winter, as featured above. After shooting for a while, they began to look like angels. Share with us the visions that opened your eyes and heart to something beyond what you ever imagined.

 

The talented and charming Dana Parishis offering a signed copy of her newly released CD Uncrushed. Leave a comment today for your chance to win the gift of Dana's enlightening music.

Comments

[Lily]

We never never know everything. So we can be surprised in a good or bad way.
I wish all of you a lot of good surprises in 2009!

Please share your stories...

[Safire]

Great story! A good reminder for me today.

[Jen]

what a beautiful story... and she has a beautiful voice!

[karin]

lovely story! I would so adore this CD for sure .... :)

[Sherry]

Thank you for the story and the song. Would love the cd - might have to use my Christmas money if I don't win ;-)

[Alicia]

I loved your story! Thanks for sharing the link to the music too... I love it!

[Julie Alvarez]

I know that feeling! Once, I found on the floor a ticket from a library with the name of a book I wanted to read. I didn't ask anything to my husband, because I thought he bought it for me. But the time passed and he didn't give me the book for my birthday. So, I thought he bought it for someone else and didn't tell me (nothing creepy, just thought that he didn't want to tell me everything he did). But then, our anniversary came, and the book came to me too. It was for me after all! And he bought is so early thinking of our anniversary...
Here is a picture with that feeling for me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3145672465/
I first thought that a bunch of dried dandelions didn't look well, until I left them on this glass.

[SusanH]

Oooh, love her voice - I need to add to my music collection, hint hint!

[lisa]

Thank you for introducing us to this lovely lady!

[cupcake]

YES

[giggletwig (corey)]

lovely story and photo to match!

[buttercupyaya]

If Dana's music is even a fraction as beautiful as this story, then I can't wait to listen.
thank you
Dana

[Risa]

I so enjoy coming here every day for the photo and delightful story!

[Marilyn]

WOW! I just found you today, and now I'm going to have to stay up past my bedtime reading your archives!

[Ashley Schultz]

That is a great story. I love your picture above. Thanks for sharing.

[Wanda]

I'd love a chance at the CD. Thanks.

http://whatwouldwandado.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-follow-barefoot.html

[Lolli]

I see the angel, too! I see things differently thru my lens as well. :)

[alina]

A lovely story.

[Jennifer]

Beautiful. simply beautiful!

[ELK]

am I too late? ~love her music!

[littlepurplecow (Stephanie Roberts)]

Beautiful image and such a sweet story.

[Kimmi J]

After listening to the partial sample tracks, I would love to hear Dana's entire CD.

[Christine]

Really wonderful story and I love the image. I often shoot with my 50mm 1.4 and it opens up a whole new reality where light and objects melt into a veiled mystery of color and motion. At least for me.

I think this image is a good representation of seeing beyond what is right in front of you;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapshotsunmade/3027951769/in/set-72157608695961021/

[becca k]

thank u for the great story, totally inspiring and sweet. i am a big dana parish fan. i bought her cd on itunes after i read your post. everything she says is my life, i feel like i have a new best friend. thanks for introducing us to this brilliant artist. i have not heard an album like this since carol king's Tapestry.

i also love your angel shot.

[Alexandra]

Oh how I love your "angels <3 I have not had this experience, but I will definitely be looking back through some of my shots and challenging myself to see what I did not realize was there.