Marriage Moats-Dancing Through the Storm

Published: Wed, 10/16/19

Dancing Through a Storm

Caring for Marriage

Would this photograph be as stunning if she were surrounded by a clear blue sky?

I guess I could convince photographer and dancer to do a retake on a balmy day, find a focus group, ask their opinions and record all the results.

But shooting from the hip, I would say, "Not even close."

For those of you who care, the stats on this particular shot are 223 views on flickr, 25 comments and 21 favorites.

That translates to a bunch of largely total strangers from who knows where on the planet all resonating with a feeling captured in this image that, if you get right down to it, has very little color and only one person in it.

Candidly, I think I am in danger of sullying the photo by even talking about it, so if you stop reading and keep looking instead, I will not be insulted.

I would be so bold as to suggest that the power in the picture is in part from the contrast between her elegant dancing and the ominous threat of the clouds. Add to that the fact that she is small and the cumulonimbus is big.

Yet the immensity of the dark sky does not frighten her. She still flings her strength and grace to the air as if she is a match for its power. Perhaps she is.

I love John. Maybe I have mentioned that before. If it were possible to quantify that love, I might give it a ten on a day when the kids are behaving and the cars are working. Our marriage is in full swing and the skies are clear.

Then the winds change.

I remember many years ago when John's job was in peril. Things were said about him that struck at his integrity. Stormy feelings came pounding at my door, and I dove for cover. But when I tore my eyes from my own terror and locked them on John.... he was dancing.

Ok, ok, he did not look like Gene Kelly, but he stood bravely in the shadow of false accusations, and did not crumble. My loveometer reading went up higher than these clouds.

I love John plenty on a sunny day. But that word does not begin to contain my feelings for him in a storm.

Love,
Lori

Photo by Andy Sullivan