Capturing the Bigger Picture

I took this photo several years ago.

We were sitting at dinner with my husband's family in Oregon and a summer rain

started pounding the deck.

Then came the thunder and lightening.

I opened the sliding glass door and snapped -

and the first shot caught the lightening bolt!

I couldn't believe it!

What a cool moment. This photo has always been one of my all time favorites.

I've got it hanging on my bulletin board next to my desk at work.

I keep it there because it reminds me of Oregon - and my family.

And that's important.

But it also reminds me of something else.

After I got this cool shot, I stood with my camera for a long time

and tried to get another shot.

To capture another lightening bolt.

And I just couldn't do it!

I managed to capture some that were further away, 

as the storm moved out of the valley and settled over the hills.

But not another bold, strong, all-the-way-to-the-ground strike.

It's as if the first lightening bolt came to me as a gift.

And try as I might I couldn't "make" it happen again.

Isn't life just like this?

Full of moments.

Spectacular moments.

And, although we contribute to the making of many, many special moments,

there are also countless gifts that come our way

without us lifting a finger.

Sometimes without us even knowing it.

This photo reminds me to stay alert, stay open!

And, most importantly, 

to not worry too much if I can't make things turn out the way I want them to.

At some point lightening will strike.

And I'll be amazed.

And might even manage to catch it on "film."

Happy to be linking up over at
Alita's place for Thursday's simple moments,