Our Glass Maze

This photo was taken years and years ago, when I was closer to the age of the little boy. Now I'm close to the age of the old man, but I feel like I photographed it yesterday. I see it as plain as day, along with the sights and sounds and smells of Wildwood; where it was taken, in 1979. Let me explain.

Before I capture an image I pre-visualize what I desire the final print to look like. Whether it is pre-visualized seconds before I snap the picture, or days before, it makes no difference - the desired photo is, somewhat, planned. And, after doing so, the image I visualized and photographed remains in my head; or what I prefer to call "my gallery."

The more meaning an image has to me; the closer it gets to the front door of my gallery. This image, through the years, has become more assessable and predominant. As I get older; the colors turn vivid, and the story becomes cinematic - though it's only a black+white still photograph.

As the young boy, in the picture, seems to portray, as I did when I was his age; he hardly sees the old man and is more interested in finding his own way, putting together his own pieces to the puzzle. And, as I did for a time; has not the slightest inkling to ask or confer with someone that has already been through this part of life; that he has just started, has recently stepped into.

Nor was I interested in asking any old person, including my grandparents and older relatives, about the history of our family and what they went through in their life - to get some bearing on my life; until it was too late. I truly didn't know what I had, the wealth of knowledge that was there at my fingertips to assist me in my journey, that all I had to do was ask for; until the day of their funeral. I knew then what I lost.

As the old man seems to portray, as I do know at the age of fifty; is only to watch, to reminisce, and to help - if asked. I feel there is so, so much I and others of the older crowd have to offer them in their un-guided tour; but would never intrude on them. In most respects I made out alright, with the understanding that things have a way of working out no matter how hard we plan and worry. But it could have been so much better and allot easier if I would have only asked the grandparents of the world more questions. If I would have been able to confront more old people about this puzzle I was born in; instead of being so scarred, and scarred to ask someone of experience.

This image has helped me an awful lot. There isn't a time that goes by, when the opportunity presents itself, that I don't ask an "old person," "Anything that you folks would do different in your life?" "If you could do it over, what would you change?"

After they get over the shock of this "young persons" out of the blue questions; they are full of answers. They go out of their way, and show a genuine interest in me; whatever their plans were that day. And I would feel the same way if a young person boldly stepped up to me with their questions and concerns. Nothing else would matter to me either, my schedule would suddenly be empty for this child. Nothing would please me more than to help them through this "Glass Maze."

By Robert Hager II