Typically I glaze over pictures of people and events and go straight for the landscape photos. I'm feeling different right now. Maybe these will only be interesting to me as I know the dynamics of each group, how these communities have grown me, and all the funny memories that come from each group. But there is still something to be appreciated about seeing a picture of a group of people that is investing in each other. Whether you know them or not, its a picture of what life should look like for each of us.
Communities take many shapes and forms. Right now I'm blessed to be a part of a community of high schoolers and several adults at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. For almost 4 years now, I've been hanging out with a group of guys that are now seniors.They teach me and remind me of things I've lost perspective of as I've gotten a little older. Although I often doubt it, hopefully I provide perspective on things they've not yet encountered, or are encountering for the first time. Either way, we've got a community centered around our mutual faith, which transcends our difference in age, places in life, and all other things.
This past Sunday, a group of the seniors went up and hiked the Chimneys trail in the Smokies. Community on top of a mountain. A fun time and to be remembered.
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| Guys exploring together |
I've also got community my own age. I've been meeting with these guys since we were in high school. I don't know how they haven't gotten rid of me yet, but I appreciate that they haven't. A lot to process over the years. Many years ago, we spent a fall weekend up on the Cumberland Plateau just a little outside Knoxville. We've managed to turn what started as a weekend getaway into an annual commitment. A weekend in the woods is good for anyone. Here's our most recent, from 2012:
Its amazing the community building that goes on just sitting in those chairs around some burning wood. I'd love to know the total number of hours we've sat there over the past 5 years. The guys that fill those chairs.
And the things we do while not in those chairs...
And inside jokes of course, such as surprise breakfasts every year...
And of course, save the best for last. The most important community, family. How we've put up with each other this many years and still get along this well and love each other that much. Very thankful for these folks who've stuck with me through good and bad.
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| Sis and me at Cloud's Rest over the Yosemite Valley - 2009 |
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| Bro and me cracking up - probably laughing at a Yeti joke |
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| Littlest sis and me - I forget where that is... |
So these are my attempts at taking pictures of humans and trying to capture the joy of interaction and connection. I still need to work on it some, it doesn't come as naturally as taking a picture of a mountain. Hopefully I get there with time. There are other places I've gotten plugged in over the past few years I wish I could share, but these are a few I actually have decent pictures of.
