the wagon ride

 
The mom wanted an image of her husband taking their young son for a wagon ride as it is something they regularly do and enjoy together. However, I’m firmly convinced that babies and young children have some sort of internal warning device that alerts them to shots that are being set up, and will often rebel against the forced and contrived even though the activity is one they would ordinarily find fun. So this little guy was squirming and grimacing the entire wagon trip, not exactly making for a Hallmark moment. The dad’s body language and expression not much better either, conveying an unspoken impatience and displeasure at his role in this scenario.

It was when the baby’s wigglesome fussiness had escalated to the point that the father had no choice but to halt the wagon trip and calm his son that this shot was made. As soon as he reached down and tenderly lifted the chin of his little boy, their eyes met and the deep adoration they feel for one another shone through despite the unsavory circumstances.

The mom wanted an image of her husband taking their young son for a wagon ride, but really what she wanted more was simply an image depicting the loving bond between them. When it comes right down to it, we are all of us, just looking for evidence of loving connection in a world that seems bent on providing evidence of our separation.

 
~Cynthia