This is an important picture to me.
I took this was at his 40th birthday party. It wouldn’t win any prizes, but it showed me something that I always sought from my older brother: attention. The fact that Michael has never spoken or seemed to acknowledge me probably explains this craving. My quest for his attention was unsuccessful in real life, so I obsessively looked at the old family photos for evidence. I remember a few moments where he seemed to know me, but I wasn’t sure, and even fewer pictures that backed up my memory.
When I printed this picture in my darkroom, I was astounded to see him looking directly at me.
Even though it was with one eye, it was proof to me that he knew me at that moment.
I blocked off the left side to make sure:
Doesn’t it look like he wants to talk to me?
Amazing! He is yearning to connect with you.
Don’t know, Jill. Remember, this photograph was exposed for 1/60th of a second… now and then I would capture something. I never got that feeling in real time.
A universal expression of compassionate acknowledgement shines through, here. It is healing. — The Healing Garden gardener
Thank you.
J