trees – where we will grow

I would rather be kind to you at your worst, than think it is my place to judge when you deserve my kindness.

I would rather care for you when you do not care for me, than think for a moment that your worth is determined by your thoughts towards me.

I would rather give to you when you have already taken from me, than only give when I am given something in return.

I would rather look like a fool for helping those who hurt me, than look strong for refusing their needs.

I would rather lose every battle and come in last in every race, than surrender to the thought that I must love less to gain more.

The indifferent are filled with power of self.
I am too weak for indifference.
And so I will rejoice in my weakness.

Melissa Dow: teacher, reader, occasional rapper and Bohemian Rhapsody singer. The two of us embarked on our photo-shoot adventure on a surprisingly warm day for our little Northwestern town. I could tangent off into cliche observations of the brilliant dappled leaves (They really were beautiful) but I won’t. Instead I will make an observation about the lady making funny faces in the majestic autumn leaves. Put simply, Melissa Dow is hilarious. My camera could hardly keep up with her spontaneity. She read to me in Latin, rolled various accents off her tongue and the only legitimate instruction I had to give her was, “Stop talking! Your mouth is in weird shapes in all the pictures.” But what grand pictures they were. I’ve never had such ease getting shots that really showcase a person’s vibrance. Even with a book in front of her nose, Melissa could never be hidden. The more she reads, the more she knows, and the more she knows, the more she wants to tell everyone about it. As Melissa and so many other brilliant individuals before her have shown, reading is sexy. Case closed.