I pulled off the highway to snap a few images of the clouds spilling over the Koolau Mountains. Today I shared the Highway’s scenic overlook with one other person. This man had an American Flag and held a sign that I was unable to read from my vantage point. As I quietly observed the the cottony clouds and beautiful vista, I grew more curious as to what his sign read as the number of passing cars that would honk, yell Oo-rah and throw Shakas (for mainlanders,

the hang loose hand gesture with only the thumb and pinky finger extended, a gesture of friendship) steadily grew.  As I carefully composed each new photograph, I ran through the various checklists in my head from simple camera settings, lighting, perspective, shutterspeed, composition etc to get the best shot; however, I was compelled to look over my shoulder each time I heard a loud,  “Oo-Rah!” from the speeding cars on the Highway.  Some of the Oo-Rahs were so loud they would cause me to jump which then fueled my growing curiosity of what this sign read.  I went from extremely focused on the natural landscape to being consumed with reading that sign.  Each time I repositioned to take a new photo,  I would glance over to see if I could read the sign.  With no luck at my sign reading attempts, I stood and blankly stared at the cloud capped mountains.  To an untrained eye, I appeared to be enjoying the view and contemplating my next photograph;however, to a trained eye, I was fully involved in a healthy debate.. with umm myself.

After this heafty and brutal internal sparring match over whether or not I should ask what the sign read, I concluded that I had more than enough images of billowing clouds and it would be far more interesting to talk to the man with the sign.  Thankfully, curiosity got the best of me as I was fortunate to meet a wonderful spirit by the name Catcher Cuts The Rope, a Gulf War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient with a passionate plea to some decision makers in Washington D.C.

Now standing much closer, my dried, dusty contact lenses actually worked and I was able to read the sign, “Honor Peralta“.  Immediately I began scanning my mental filing cabinet in order to recall the name Peralta.  Oh boy, mommy brain definitely had a lasting effect as I was completely in the dark about this story. My mental filing cabinet was overflowing with Elmo, Backyardigans and all things tractors, trains and construction vehicles.  I do not believe I have watch the news since the birth of my son who is now three years old.   I could only offer a sincere and humble apology for living in my isolated cocoon for the past three years as I was unfamiliar with Mr. Peralta’s story.  Catcher Cuts The Rope graciously took time to explain that he was protesting Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the review panel’s decision to not award Sgt. Rafael Peralta The National Medal of Honor after it was long announced that Peralta would be the newest recipient of the medal.

As I stood and listened to this stranger’s story, I could not help but feel that at that precise moment, I was supposed to be right there and nowhere else.  Elmo, the big yellow excavator,  visions of tractor books and all things warm, cozy and safe momentarily faded from my thoughts.  I was now standing in front of a man that had almost lost his own life while selflessly serving our country.  He was full of emotion, sincerity, and pride as he shared Sgt. Peralta’s story.  My heart now wept for Peralta’s mother.  I felt so many emotions for a woman that I had not known until I learned of her son’s story on the side of freeway.  How is she doing?  How is she holding up?  She must be so proud of her son.  After hearing about Catcher Cuts The Rope’s own experiences in Afghanistan and that of Sgt. Peralta’s story, I was inspired and moved to learn more about both men and to share their stories with others.

My friends affectionately call me a rainbow chaser as I am always on the look out to photograph my next rainbow. I would like to think they also ‘affectionately’ tell me that my head is always in the clouds as I have fallen in love with the beautiful cloudscapes in Hawaii.