Friday, January 23, 2009

Story behind the Picture: "Love Park"


I wasn't sure why I was so drawn to this statue that sits in the center of a little park in the heart of Philadelphia. But the sun was shining and it was a Saturday (meaning my husband was home and I had back-up...no trying to photograph while my boys ran wild or complained or picked fights with one another while I tried to concentrate). We all drove downtown together; Marty let me hop out at a red light when it was apparent we were not going to find a parking space in this lifetime. "Just do your thing - we'll circle around until you're finished," he said. Driving repeatedly around a city block with two boys fighting in the back seat while I took hundreds of pictures? Now that's love.
As I circled the statue and clicked away, I finally noticed that the "O" is off-kilter. Maybe it was the artist's way of creating a perfectly square statue. But I think, actually, that lopsided "O" is meant to remind us that love isn't perfect. I think, in my marriage, I'm often the off-kilter "O," held in place by my husband's steady, immovable "LVE." Love isn't an ideal, glamorous, glossy-magazine-spread-worthy affair. It's not something you can define and legislate. It's not something you can control. But if it's the true kind, the kind that won't fade or falter, the kind that keeps you safe and sane, and makes you hold tight to your off-kilter "O" or feel secure with your "LVE," then you are a lucky person indeed.

8 comments:

Rareimage Photography said...

Love this photo!! Beautiful red against the b&w!!! Excellent

Celtic Cat said...

One Awesome capture, MKC!

Unknown said...

Michelle this is a beautiful story to go with your great capture. What a tribute to your guy!

Allie said...

Michelle - wonderful post - again. Man, you can write! Such an excellent description of what it's really like!

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

take care, allie

designing woman said...

Very touching.

Unknown said...

Michelle,
who knew that a metal structure in the middle of the city could elicit such emotion?! I really liked the..."i'm the off-kilter O to his LVE" part. You always have a way with words (much like your talent with a camera!

christa s-h said...

Hey Michelle!
Love the picture, love the story... Have been very drawn to this particular piece of art over the past year myself (even though I've lived near it my entire life!!). You can't help but feel giddy with LOVE when you see it!! You are truly talented - it's a real treat to view your work everyday!!

Flint Carpenters said...

Thaank you for sharing

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