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December 28, 2014 (362/365): (#decemberphotochallenge Day 28: Words)

“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.” - T.S. Eliot

Every day for the past year, I have posted a photo along with one word that best captured the spirit of the image and its corresponding post. Last year's photos were sometimes parallel images to those of 2013, improved by light, angle, focus, or editing. Last year's focus was ambitious if occasionally repetitious. I have three days to decide what next year's voice will be.

Night

December 27, 2014 (361/365): (#decemberphotochallenge Day 27: Night Time)

“Good night! Good night! Far flies the light; But still God's love shall shine above, making all bright, Good night! Good night!” - Victor Hugo

Unbroken

December 26, 2014 (360/365): (#decemberphotochallenge Day 26: Gratitude)

“America’s fighting men and women sacrifice much to ensure that our great nation stays free. We owe a debt of gratitude to the soldiers that have paid the ultimate price for this cause, as well as for those who are blessed enough to return from the battlefield unscathed.” - Allen Boyd

I have been anticipating the release of the Unbroken film with conflicted emotions since I read riveting biography of Louis Zamperini -- juvenile delinquent, college track star, 1936 Olympian who shook hands with Hitler, WWII Air Force captain, survivor of a plane crash and forty-seven days drifting over 2000 miles on a raft in middle of the Pacific Ocean, tortured prisoner of war for two and a half years, recovered alcoholic and PTSD sufferer, inspirational speaker, coach, and philanthropist. As I turned the pages last year, I continually reminded myself that Zamperini was going to make it through all of these harrowing trials, knowing that, at 97 year old, he consulted with Angelina Jolie in the making of the Unbroken film. Sadly Louie Zamperini died last summer before yesterday's film release. I knew that this film would be hard for me, but I kept telling myself that if Louie could survive all that he went through, I should be strong enough to watch. Unfortunately, the movie focused more on the horrors of Louie's experiences and less on his remarkable character. Though to be fair, how could such an extraordinary life be depicted in just two hours? Despite my disappointment in the tone of the film, as real photos of Louis appeared on the screen in the closing sequence, I found myself in tears. I felt a rush of emotion for the brave men and women of The Greatest Generation whom I will always honor in humble gratitude.

Adore

December 24, 2014 (358/365): (#decemberphotochallenge Day 24: Christmas Eve) "That's what Christmas is all about!"

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" 

- Luke 2:8-14 + Linus Van Pelt)