A picture says a thousand words

I've just had one of the most amazing, unbelieveable and beautiful experiences of my life....and that was just a run to the park :)

I had grand plans of finally getting out and taking photos of all those things I see every day and want to share with everybody today, but awoke to an insipid drizzle shrouding the world in a dull grey hue. One of those days when it never seems to get fully light you know, and terrible for photographs.

Or so I thought. But when i finally couldn't stand being inside any longer and decided to get wet anyway I was pleasantly surprised.

I still didn't get any photographs. I was right at least that the light was poor and I wouldn't find any sharp images amongst the drizzle, but i'd forgotten how fresh the world looks after it's rained.

It's one of the things that first inspired me to take photos, I must have been about 8 years old when I got my first camera, I still have the pictures, can still see them now in my minds eye and I remember with a smile my stubborn determination to take close ups of the willow tree and our pond in the rain despite dad telling me they wouldn't turn out. And of trying to capture the etheral mist that gently cloaked the surrounding hills one morning that same winter and the moon as it rose in the evening despite being not having any filters or a wide angle lens let alone a zoom!

The memory makes me smile because I'm so stubborn I have to find things out for myself before I believe them despite what anyone else will tell me - sometimes to my own detriment - and also because my dad has always given me the freedom to discover for myself within reasonable boundary. He really is the best dad in the world. It's amazing I think, how when we're teenagers we think our parents are so antiquated and out of touch with the world, only to find as we grow older and experience life ourselves that they are actually very wise and incredibly patient to have put up with us!

It's one of the enigmas of life isn't it, unconditional love. And one of the greatest experiences we can ever hope to have.

Anyway, back to the photos....