These timeless photographs seem to suggest something about life. When we consent to document either digitally, by sketch or on film a certain time and place, we turn and actively face the camera or the artist and then we pause. But even in looking at the camera, we willfully look ahead. We stare beyond the photographer, past the equipment and see more than just the present. As we say "cheese", "look at the birdie", or "I am so still a virgin", we gaze into an abstract place we know but that we can't define.

Regardless, we look ahead anyway, straddling two worlds, knowing that our vantage point into the future remains for that moment still in the present. No one, not a one of us, knows anything about the future. We have no idea what life will be like the minute the shutter closes, the image is preserved, and time moves on. But still, we bravely face forward and look beyond now.

Indeed, rarely have I seen a portrait shot of someone looking over their shoulder, behind them, in the direction of where they've already been.

When I look at pictures taken of me at this time last year, I had no idea what lay ahead. But that didn't seem to keep me from embracing whatever was coming. When the camera flashed, not once was I caught looking over my shoulder at the past. I've wondered a few times in the last few days, if any of us could really see what lay ahead, would we still go through with our lives and move forward?

I see glimmering hope of tomorrow shine in so many photographs. I see optimistic expressions captured in the eyes of people I care about and exhibited on the faces of those I love-People who look forward while frozen in a moment. I can't see what they see. They can't see what I see either. But we are bound, one to another, and the human spirit seems to be one that is addicted to always looking ahead.

And seldom looking back.

Prayer Requests...
Stacy and her husband Chris...
A man named Russell who faces additional cancer challenges
For all the people in the Middle East, and those in London
For all the cattle ranchers on both sides of the border who face mad cow disease related uncertainty...
For the Supreme Court of the United States and President Bush-that he would make a selection to fill the current vacancy that honors Democracy and the Bill of Rights.

Links...

...Confirmation of tragic fears related to boy's fate...
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=Idaho%20Missing%20Children


...Mother confronts her daughter's sexual orientation
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002371684_gayconference10m.html

...Administration exceeds Watergate meddling...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/10/opinion/10rich.html?pagewanted=2&th&emc=th

...A difficult subject mirrored in today's blog...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/10/opinion/10Kristof.html?th&emc=th

...A distinctive NW Roadtrip...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/10/travel/10salmon.html?th&emc=th

...A favorite author...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/09/opinion/09vowell.html?th&emc=th