Sodium Thiosulfate

"Be thankful you're a photographer," my friend Butch said. Yes, he used the adjective thankful. Not proud, not happy, not even ecstatic. Thankful. We were talking about glaucoma, which led us to a discussion about how some people were not given the chance to have a glimpse of the world. A few were given the gift only to have it taken away later in life. 

And it might be hard to admit, but the sad truth is that we always take the gift of sight for granted. Every morning I see children sleeping on the streets of Colon, and there were times I wished I didn't have to see them. I'm disappointed with myself for having that thought at all. Yes, it's heartbreaking; it's unfortunate. It's not a wonderful sight, but come to think of it--it's actually a small price to pay for being able to see the magnificent rising and setting of the sun, the cleansing rain, the breathtaking oceans... It's a small price, really.

Be thankful you're a photographer. It doesn't matter whether you're an amateur or a professional. Be thankful that you have that eye, that appreciation for beauty, and that you have the power to make others see this beauty as well.

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Sodium thiosulfate - aka photographer's hypo; used as fixer in film photography.