They say that what you do in this life echoes in eternity, that at the great and last day, all good and bad things you've done will be added together and shown to you. I hope this is the image, and the only image, I see at that day. This picture represents everything good and decent I've done with my life and ever plan on doing with my life. It is the peak of my very existence, and I stand forever eclipsed in the shadow of this great accomplishment. You didn't know I thought so deep, did you? But I do... And I can write deep. Real deep. This is my 9th grade school picture. No joke. It's me at age 15, and not much has changed. This picture sits in my wallet as a constant reminder that when a man is feeling powerful, he's capable of just about anything. You know what, I'm not going to tell you any kind of story behind this picture. I don't want you to think there is any story. Why can there not be a story for once? Yeah, there is a story, but I'm going to give you homework so that I can do my homework now. Your homework is to create your own story of what's going on here. Imagine what a person must go through, what society has to do to a man before he finds himself in this position, staring through his coke-bottle glasses at a mocking world. Then when you have this story, write a comment about it. I'm interested to know what your ideas are...That's your homework for this evening.
Mostly, I laughed a lot. (Not mockingly, just kindly) I haven't fully thought up the story behind this, but the bow is absolutely beautiful. I think back to my school picture at age 15...I was gap-toothed and portly.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you don't know who I am, and you can go on wondering who the creeper is that has been spying on this magnificent blog..
Jon... You think its hard trying to live in the shadow of your 15 yr old self? I wake up every morning knowing full well that every thing I aspire to do will never even come close to the standard that my little brother set while in high school. Jon, I know all about that shadow your walking in and I can tell you its cold its dark and it will last the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteAs for the story, since I already know the original story, trying to come up with something else just didn't seem right. It seemed so foreign to put another story in its place, so instead I am encouraging, and patiently awaitingt, a future where Thundie's wake up every morning knowing the true story of this photograph. We need this Jon, for the inspiration, for the guidance, and for hope that this story brings.
First comment. Emma, we know who you are. But keep spying on our blog; we welcome and appreciate creepers. Any further comments of yours will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSecond comment. Brian, little did I know the length and depth of that shadow I would cast on the world that morning when I woke up and prepared for school pictures. If I hadn't lived it for myself, I would not believe it. But I'm in too deep now, and I can't back out. This is the shadow I have cast, and I must live with it. One day, the true story behind this picture will come out. Until that day, the shadow will still be cast.
I have to agree with Brian. Trying to come up with an alternate reality for this picture just didn't seem right.
ReplyDeleteI'm honored to say, I was there. I witnessed that epic day. Even though I lived the rest of my St.George day's with the only question anyone ever asked of me again being "Are you Jon Hart's sister?", I was alway's proud to say "yes...yes I am." Thank you, Jon, thank you.