September 9, 2008

A Story of a Photograph

Once upon a time, in the far off land of Gettysburg, PA, a young maiden was exploring the National Cemetery for interesting photo opportunities. Camera in hand, she glanced up and saw the Stars and Stripes fluttering in the breeze above her. Zooming in on the flag, she snapped the shutter and walked on.

When she returned home, this photo claimed the triumphant ending position in a slide show of photographs from the battle field, to the music of "God Bless the USA". Later on in the year, while looking through her photo album for County Fair entries, she happened to see that photo and decided to enter it under the title of "Old Glory".

The young maiden submitted it to the scrutiny of the photography judges, but alas! It did not even place. Consoled by having won many other blue ribbons, as well as the People's Choice Award for a different photograph, she packed up at the end of the week.

A year later, she was again looking through her photo album for County Fair entries. Once again, she turned the page to find the flag waving at her. "What the heck?" she mused to herself. "Might as well try again!"

She did re-enter it, this time under the title of "Stars and Stripes Forever". She did not much concern herself about whether or not it would place, but was pleasantly surprised when it claimed the blue ribbon in the Patriotic category.

Now, having learned last year about the ability to vote for the People's choice photograph, her family raced to the building on Friday, determining to vote for the maiden's mother's photo in the adult category, and one of the maid's blue ribbons for the Junior division. Now before you, dear reader, begin to think that they swung the vote, do not get ahead of your selves! Their favorite photo was entitled "Remnants of the Past", and so all voted accordingly. One sibling, however, contrarily wished to vote for "Stars and Stripes Forever" and did so, even when fair maiden a bit crossly informed her that she didn't want that one to win, so vote for the other one!

Sunday came 'round the bend, and soon it was time to pick up the projects and see who the winning photo's were. The band came through the entry and saw, to their surprise... "Stars and Stripes Forever!" hanging on the wall with a People's Choice Award next to it! (The mother's photo did not win.) I will confess to you, that the first thought and words out of said maiden's mouth were "Oh, I didn't want that one to win!" She did then, however, recollected and mentally reprimanded herself, sending up a quick prayer of thanksgiving.

So here then... is the 2008 People's Choice Award!

There are two morels to this story:

#1: If at first you don't succeed, try try again! (Or as one book comically put it: If at first you don't fricassee, fry fry a hen!")
#2: If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!

1 comment:

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