Perseverance - 12.28.13

perseverance - noun
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
source: dictionary.com

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Perseverance

       This picture symbolizes perseverance on so many levels to me.  The guitar in the picture is Dane's grandpa's guitar.  It is lovingly referred to as, "Grandpa's guitar" or "Grandpa's Gibson."  It's a stunningly beautiful guitar from 1950.  I was told Grandpa purchased it when he was young and has taken wonderful care of it ever since.  What make it a symbol of perseverance is that it survived the Washington tornado that took place on November 17, 2013.  A tornado that ripped through the beautiful town of Washington leaving hundreds of families, including Dane's grandparents, displaced until they can rebuild or find a new place to call home.  Thankfully, his grandparents are safe and sound. Even my dad asked about this beautiful guitar once he found out Jerry and Julie were safe.  The guitar has almost become larger than life. 

       There's another, more subtle, message of perseverance that is as beautiful as this guitar.  That's the friendship between Dane and his friends from high school.  I snapped this picture as Dane and Kyle (pictured) were taking turns strumming songs from memory on the strings.  They were like two kids with a beloved toy.  There aren't many people who can say their closets friends are the ones they made in high school.  The friendship between Dane and his friends has persevered through college, marriages, children, distance, and time.  They always seem to pick up right where they leave off.  I am so thankful they welcomed me with open arms as they played their guitars in the basement of my friend's college house so many years ago.  His friends and their wives have become the siblings I never had, my extended family.  

    I have to send a thank you to my brother-in-law, Isaac, for helping me edit this picture in a way that would allow both stories of perseverance to emerge.  As I was playing around with the photo, he mentioned that I should create an emphasis on the guitar by leaving it in color and transforming the rest to black and white.  I couldn't agree more.  He's currently studying multimedia/graphic design. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of the amazing things he creates and having a new person to collaborate with on future projects.