I went to the zoo this past weekend to get in a little practice with the new camera. I decided to hop the tram to ride up to the primate and cat building and this young couple and their daughter, pictured above, got on next to me. The girl was smiling and having a good time and I thought she was a pretty photogenic kid. While the parents may have been okay with me snapping this picture, in today's climate I wasn't sure so I didn't use a flash. I like the natural lighting better actually. What I was really proud of is that I waited until the girl wasn't smiling or giggling and, as a result, I find her look to be haunting.
I'm a bit creeped out by kids. I think a lot of adults are. Maybe it's the knowledge that someday they'll replace us or maybe it's just that feeling that you never know what is going on in that developing brain. I don't have any kids and probably never will. What I've always thought is amazing about children, however, is how they cut right through the B.S. that surrounds us in our everyday lives. They just don't know any better so they say and do things that adults never would. Often they're right on target. As a therapist I didn't work with young children but I worked with a lot of teens. You can actually see how we adults break kids down and mold them to be what we are. Afraid. Risk-averse. Ashamed of our passions and unwilling to rock the boat. I've often thought that what we call adolescent rebellion is really just their last ditch attempt to preserve themselves before they get assimilated into the adult world.
All I know is that I look in this little girl's eyes and I see a girl saying, "Not me. You're not going to get me." I hope she's right.
4 comments:
My nephew and niece are still at that age where the world hasn't gotten to them yet... My niece believes that when she grows up she can create Skittles World for kids and they can get all the Skittles they want for free. Love that kind of imagination.
Hey KC - That's the thing I love about kids. Like I said, they kinda freak me out sometimes but I love that belief they have that anything is possible. It's sad that for so many of us, we lose that way of thinking.
Great shot, Don. Clearly you are having fun with this camera.
You are certainly right on target about kids. I'm really fortunate to have the two I've got, and I am constantly worried about what (or who) might crush their spirit. They are both pretty doggone wise for their ages, and although I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing as far as childhood goes, with any luck, their BS meters will never need to be recalibrated and will serve them all their lives.
KC, if there can be LegoLand, there can be Skittles World. I have grownup friends who would pay to go there. If she needs a recruiter, call me!
great pic. :)
kids are inspirational b/c they're honest.
maybe that's another reason why they freak people out.
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