Hiding Behind The Camera

#1

When I was little, my parents sent me to a therapist and that therapist told me something that no one had ever told me before. She told me that I was the most observant child for my age. I told her that I don’t just see things in their place, but I notice the way that those said objects look in the place they are in. I guess that was when they decided to have me tested for ADHD. When I was finished being tested, the specialist told my parents that it wasn’t my brain or my body that was hyperactive, it was my eyes. Apparently, he called me the most extraordinary seven year old. I guess he was right though, My eyes were always looking at anything and everything that the average kid wouldn’t even think of looking at. Usually my eyes went to the objects that were the most natural, but also the most overlooked. I was always sad when I saw something, but couldn’t keep it the way it was, like a sunset, or kids playing. I wanted to freeze each object and keep keep that moment. When I told my dad that it made me sad, he knew what to do.
    My dad bought me my first camera when I was seven. It was a dinky, little disposable camera, the ones with film. I was ecstatic regardless. It did not take long until the camera was full. My dad took me when we went to pick up my pictures. The man at the Walgreens photo counter thought that the pictures were my dad’s, “You have a very good eye for photos, sir,” “Oh, the photos aren’t mine. They’re hers,” he said, pointing to me. I, being a seven year old and obsessed with sugar, was staring at the candy; I was deciding if I should get the 25 cent sucker or smarties. I decided on the smarties and went back over to my dad at the photo counter. “You have a remarkable eye for taking pictures. How old are you?” “I’m seven,” I said this with the most pride and the biggest smile on my face. The man had a shocked look on his face, I giggled, my dad paid, and we left. I had a talent. And I was going to shine.
    When we got home, I looked at my pictures. I laid them all out on my bed and chose my favorites: one of a sunset, one of the crystalized snow/ice pile in our front yard, and one of my little brother playing with our dog. These were my prized possessions.