the dailypic 5025 yr14 276 Reflection on 4th

I usually photograph the Milford July 4th Parade today, but unfortunately, it had to be canceled due to the weather. A hard decision was made by the organizers – who happen to be close friends of mine, who work hard all year long raising money and awareness for the parade. I had no part in the decision they had to make last night, but I felt their stress. I could not imagine having the parade and risking people being upset they had it in the rain and possibly thunderstorms or canceling it and risking upsetting people because they are being safe. And in the end, they only risk upsetting a small number of people. Most have common sense and, like me, realize it could not be easy. But, and this is huge ‘but’ we, as the majority, do not worry about the ‘most.’ We, as the majority, think about the fringe that is not only upset but vocal. In the end, the right decision was made – because both decisions were right, and still, I saw the fringe out there doing what they do, making the decision about them when it was not.

What does this have to do with this picture? Well, until just now, when I started writing this, I was not even sure, but it has a lot to do with it. It is raining. I have no parade to take photos of. Why not a picture of the flag behind raindrops? Through a window? In a mirror? With a macro lens so you can see the flag in the drops? This was the process that led to the photo above… THEN… I had to make a decision. The thought popped into my head as I saw the image on my screen. Someone will complain the flag is upside down in the photo if I flip the image so the raindrops look right. Followed by someone who will think it is a political statement – not most, but someone. But I know it is not. I know it is a picture of the American Flag on the 4th of July that it happened to rain on. I like photos of the flag. The photo is different. Yet I kept flipping the image. Which do I post? I got angry for no other reason than if I had taken this photo and shared it years ago. I would never have had that thought because it is not a thought that deserves time. The irony of it being Independence Day adds weight to it. So here are both. If you feel one is right and the other is wrong, that is fine. Just know the artist chose to celebrate the Flag, not the fringe. Think Independently. Happy 247th. I am going to eat a hot dog.

tr/trp