Capturing a Moment

Some people just snap away, like me.  If I am lucky, I catch a moment.  At a recent reunion gathering, the husband of a college friend spent the two days ruthlessly photographing. So many of the images he caught were amazing!  He captured incredibly insightful moments about people who have known each other for 30 years or more - people that he had only just met in most cases.  That is a gift!

Check out the Photography of Alfred Hellstern at his Online Portfilio

Here is one Alfred's incredible images, and a story that wrote itself as a result.  Like the photograph, the story is about a moment: fleeting, and powerful.

The Hug

By Judith Cullen © 2013

Inspiration from a photograph by Alfred Hellstern

Some moments defy words.  The ordinariness of “Hello” and “Goodbye” become lost in the deeper meaning of all the things unspoken. 

“How is your life?”

Photograph by Alfred Hellstern

“It’s hard, wonderful, and I have no idea what will happen next.”

“I am still your friend.”

“I am scared.”

“I know.”

So many other words pass from one to the other: words that are not even consciously recognized or understood.  The connection of a friendship of long duration, refreshed by nearness, makes the affection and caring sizzle through without the burden of words.

There is just the hug, and a moment that defies definition.