The Bridge

I hate coming back from a trip with a catalogue of photos. However, I feel there's this innate responsibility to show others the photos, to share with everyone documentation that legit shit did happen and that legit shit did happen while I was away. As if proof is needed: "It's true; look; the Leaning Tower of Pisa does really lean. See?"

The reason I hate it so much is no matter how many photos you have, no matter how many times that shutter clicks shut, it never fully captures the moment. Yes an image, but never a moment. I remember a few years ago, I came back from a trip with an extensive amount of photos and I was excited to show everyone the trouble I got into. I wanted everyone who hadn't gone to be able to share in the same experience. But that's impossible. I was naive to it then, but soon after encountering the many glass stares and the many plastic smiles, I realized this exchange was not even. 

Photos are flat. Experience is not. 

There's something I've come to learn as of recent. It's an analogy of sorts. Here it goes: "Trust is a bridge." No matter the relationship setting, trust between those relating, is a bridge. When I decide to finally let my walls fall, I'm allowing for a bridge to be built where I can share my experiences and my palpable life with another and know that for them it will be meaningful. It will not be flat. It will not be greeted with meaningless nods, it will be met with love and reverence because that experience is now no longer just mine but is inestimable and worth being shared over that bridge of trust. 

Here's what I'm saying. I can take a photo and show it to you and you will not understand how meaningful it is or was to me. But if I love you and allow you to love me, then I can show you my life, all of it, and know that all of it seen from that bridge between us will mean just as much to you as it does to me.

It's not easy, but when it's right, it is worth building.



Without Relent,
Peace
Remoy