Little Ronnie was peeking through the curtains as I pulled in front of the home. While walking up to the door of this beautiful home, I was getting a sense of the shadows and lighting for the perfect shot.
I was greeted by a young lady who seemed very stressed and eager to let me do my work and leave. She showed me around her home and pointed out the rooms that she would have me showcase in the virtual tour and politely excused herself as I proceeded to set up the tripod and gear.
The little boy approached and timidly looked up at me while keeping his chin down.
"Hello there big guy, what's your name?" I said.
He replied in a tiny and unsure voice "Wonnie."
Having two little girls of my own, I could speak fluent kiddish, and said "Well Ronnie would you like to help me today? We can shoot your home together."
A smile came to this little boy as if Santa had just brought him a new Tonka Truck with a trailer full of Hershey's Kisses and Gobstoppers. "Yeah!" He said, and I gave him an old Minolta Point and Shoot digital that I keep with me for this exact reason. I told him to stand behind me and push the button when I said "Action!"
We continued through the home and like any other inquisitive four year-old, Ronnie started asking me allot of questions. "Are you a daddy?... Do you like Chocolate?... Why does a camoowa make light?" Then he asked me a question that really struck me...."Do you get to see your family?"
I was really unsure of what he was asking but said "Yes, every night when I get home."
Ronnie's mother came into the room and looked at me with tears in her eyes, "I'm sorry," then looked at her little boy and said "Ronnie, leave this nice man alone, he is busy." She then began to cry uncontrollably.
Of course, being a professional, there comes a time where business and composure go out the window, and strange situations call for quick thought. I was thinking to myself, "What should I do?"
With her lips quivering, and tears falling down the sides of her pale face, she started to tell me about her husband who has been serving in the military and hasn't been home for over a year.
"Here, let's sit down." I said. We sat on the couch and she held her son tightly with both arms as he sat on her lap and faced me.
She told me how they had the perfect life, with cars, jobs, money and so much more. She told me how her husband was called to active duty for a cause that they all believe in, and how they didn't anticipate all of the challenges that they would face. "We can't afford to live here anymore, now that he's gone." She said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
She then asked little Ronnie to go get his train from his room. When Ronnie left the room, she said "He was killed in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day. I don't even know how to help my little boy understand that Daddy won't be home."
I could hardly keep from crying for her and her little boy when Ronnie came back. "Smi-ewe" he said, (which is kiddish for smile) as he took a snapshot of his mother and I. We both smiled and the mood brightened in that instant, as children always have that effect.
We laughed and she said "I don't mean to bum you out, but thanks for talking to me."
"Everyone needs to talk sometimes. And sometimes it's better to talk with a stranger." I said.
She then giggled and said "Thank you, and you should get back to work."
I agreed and went back to taking panoramic shots of her home, all the while with Ronnie behind me taking snapshots of the walls as I called out "Action!" I finished up with a gorgeous wide-angle of the front yard and went back inside to let her know that I was done.
"It was nice speaking with you, and my prayers are with you as well. Your Virtual Tour will be published by the end of the day tomorrow."
"Thank you." She said and handed me the camera that little Ronnie was so fascinated with.
I pressed the view button to see what he had been up to and what I saw was not only one of the most innocent and endearing images that I have ever seen, but one of the saddest that I will ever remember. The picture was perfectly cropped, lighted and centered as if I had taken it myself. The Photo was of Art Exhibit quality and the detail captured was beyond what I thought was possible with this particular camera. I stared for a couple of seconds, because I couldn't look at her without crying for her and the loss that she was going through.
She turned the camera towards her and began to cry because she knew at that instant, her little boy understood more than she thought.
It was a photo of an 8 by 10 framed photo that Ronnie kept on his dresser. The subject was a handsome and stoic man with an extraordinarily white hat, bright smile, neatly pressed collar and a sword on his hip that screamed perfection. It was a picture of a Hero that died for you and I to live in freedom. It was a photo of Ronnie's Daddy whom I have never met, but now feel very close to.
I closed her hands around the camera and said "You keep it, I have many more." I held out my hand to Ronnie and he shook it firmly as if he had just purchased the rights to Six Flags Amusement Park.
...............
It's been a couple of years since I've completed that Virtual Tour, but I know that I will remember that crisp November morning for the rest of my life. I hope that anyone who reads this story of a little boy and a mother will remember those who serve this great country, and be humbled by the opportunity to be defended by those with greater courage than most.
Our prayers and thoughts are with those who miss their loved ones, and seek joy and happiness this holiday season.
Nathan Strauch
Hot Shots Digital
Virtual Tours
Loveland, CO
nstrauch@hotshotpros.com
www.PrintMyRealEstate.com
Kendall Brook subdivision
