An Old Way To Bring New Smiles

Here is another really great story I had to share!

I recently got a new version of an old camera that I used to adore... Polaroid instant film! This one is a Fuji, which takes credit card sized instant photos. I named my camera "J5", (after Johnny #5 the Robot, from the '80's films "Short Circuit", mainly because it looks like him :) In J5's short career (this past month), he has blasted off about 80 photographs, and 60+ have been given away to complete strangers. Each photograph is unique, simple, imperfect and beautiful, as those captured within the photos had a story to tell. So far, one story stands out above them all.

Last Wednesday, I was in the play area of the Harrisburg Mall. I sat next to a woman who was there with her son. She was very classy, seemed to have it all together. I would have assumed that she had a sweet, upper-middle class life. As it turned out, her husband left her after 22 years, her entire family disowned her, even though it wasn't what she wanted. She had lived in New England and was forced to take a job in Pennsylvania, her ex-husband got custody of the kids, etc. Wow. Can you even imagine? She was soft-spoken and kind, very sad, and apparently the son was here visiting her. She just found a job in New England, so she is moving back, thankfully, to be closer to him.

Could you even imagine what it must be like to one day have no one there to help you? As I walked away, I turned, and saw her lovingly cuddle her boy. I get choked up just thinking about it. I went back and asked him if I could take his picture, and if it was ok with Mom. I took the photo and handed her the film and wished her all the best as she tearfully watched it develop.

You never quite know what someone's going through, and we're all going through stuff, aren't we? Someone is having a tougher time than you, and a smile goes a long way.

I got this camera for fun, and never intended for it to be for more than my own personal fun, for my own friends and family. It immediately became something magical, and has become a very cool tool to spread a little joy. I LOVE it! Thanks for reading! Off to order some more film :)