In The Moment of OK

Moment is a great material, like water, streams together becoming time, becoming life. I have many special moments in my life; among those memories, the most special are of my father.

He was a handsome man, tall with wide shoulders, straight black hair; his big hands were bony, the joints slightly thickened. He had a great tenor’s voice.

My father loved photography, although we didn’t have a camera until he was forty. However, he did in time get my mother’s and his portraits done, beautiful black and white photos. He also had my baby picture made, but I don’t remember that.

When I was three, he organized a portrait for our family of fourteen. At that day, we were really a big troop strolling from home to Harbin city center, to the photography studio. We entered the studio through a decorated glass door, I heard ” kong, kong ” sounds as my auntie carried me up the wooden stairs. She put me down,I could see nothing behind the high counter. But I clearly remember a big glass-top table with pictures on it and prices underneath.

On a dark backstage, we dressed and prepared our hair. A small, plastic-framed mirror dangled behind a large curtain, which I tried to pull open to see what was going on in front, while my aunties hassled to get their hair fixed. They made my hair like two lovely little horns. It was busy, but among others’ legs, I observed quite much of the event.

It was our turn at last. From the dark back stage we stepped onto the bright front stage. In front of a huge white screen, we were pushed and squeezed around each other into the required sequence. Grandpa and grandma were seated the middle of the front line, my sister, a beautiful baby on grandma’s lap. Next were their younger children, then my nephew and me. As the first son, my father stood in the middle of the back line with my mother, my uncle and aunties next to them.

The photographer adjusted the hot lamps. My heart beat so fast. Amazingly, I could think a very “romantic” thing at this critical moment. ”What could happen, I thought, “if I make my finger into a ring?” “Get ready..,” with the photographer’s rising voice and left arm, I decided: “I must do this!” Just then there was a shocking flash, then complete quiet. ” Is it … over?! ,” some mumbled. They looked at each other momentarily and burst a big laugh! Then came the bustling retreat.

So until now you can see in our family photo my little index figure is curved to a ring like “OK”! But that is a timid OK hanging next to my thigh, not a brave one.

This is the moment photography imprinted in me—it can record moment! What I had proved is still working to this day!

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Tags:

art, photography, parenting, up, family, talent, moment, education, grown and instinct