This Red Wagon

Posted on: June 17, 2012 | Comments (1)

Happy Dad’s Day!

There’s a story behind this photo.

Take a moment to read it if you can. I apologize to all my English professors for any (and many) grammatical errors. Hope you have a fantastic Fathers Day with your dad (or your mom.)

–
Angel A. Acevedo
[designer + super genius]
@djsoundwav

#Photoshoot #FathersDay #HappyFathersDay #ThisRedWagon

I held the camera to my face yesterday, snapping away at my car, looking for the right angle, trying to make a moment happen. My elbows barely kissed the pavement. The heat from the sidewalk made the hairs on my arm dance.

I heared this squeeking noise from the far left. Familiar. I kept shooting, ignored it thanks to my faux A.D.D. The noise kept getting closer and closer. I kept shooting, “It’s nothing.” Suddenly I see a shadow come into the frame of my wide-angle lens, left hand side. Finally I pull the camera from my face . “…the heck?” “The nerve, interrupting my ‘wanna-be’ photo sesh I’m giving my ride?!” The audacity.

Time stood still briefly, or so it seemed. The squeeky wheels of this red wagon panned across me as I was knelt to the pavement. My head turned slowly while they walked across. A man with two daughters. One in the wagon, the other at his side skipping along, held by one hand. They passed right in front of me. He softly encouraged the one by his side “Come on, let’s go.” Her little legs walked a little faster.

I immediately started snapping photos. I didn’t think about it. I don’t know why, I just did. The lens is pretty wide so I didn’t have to turn to shoot. It felt as if I was witnessing a scene from a film. I was an extra.

I was moved; just in awe. What I was seeing, experiencing, was a small picture of what Fatherhood could be like; should be like (at least for me.)

“That’s crazy to say, to think from just a random man walking with two kids, Angel.” Of course, yes, I don’t know this man. I don’t know his relationship with his kids. Frankly I don’t even know if those are his kids. And there are questions. Where were they going? Why didn’t he just drive them there? Who walks around with their kids in wagons these days? Was he doing it ironically?

Those questions are irrelevant.

God was speaking to me, showing me something. Such a fundamental truth, that people like me (self-reliant, independent, worrier, unbelieving) seem to forget. God will never, never leave us. He is Father to the fatherless. Creator of all things. Supreme example of what Fatherhood should be like. He will always walk by our side, softly encouraging us to “Come on, let’s go.” Pushing us to keep moving, trusting in Him. Not on our own strength but on His, always held by His hand if we allow Him to. But if we can’t walk on our own, we’re tired and shattered, He’ll pick us up, put us on a red wagon and pull us through.

In an age where men in the media are scrutinized, portrayed as failures and the butt of all jokes it’s encouraging to see and know there are still fathers in this society that truly put their family first rather than their own selfish ambition. Like my fantastic dad, my brother with his kids, a couple of my buddies with their kids. Such great men that I’m humbled to know, that I’m learning from so whenever it’s my turn I hope I can be at least half the father these great men are, a father that would make God proud.

What a wonderful picture of fatherhood. I went from trying to make a moment happen, to witnessing a moment, seeing something I can’t put into words, a beautiful picture of what Fatherhood should be like.