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Looking at the sheer number of words used to respond to this image, I am reminded of the phrase 'a picture's worth a thousand words'.

This phrase immediately reminds me of my favorite baby picture, taken when my Great-grandfather Lou was very much still alive. He and I are sitting together at a dining table, with his artwork in the background and his oversized glasses heavy on his face. He's smiling: a Mona Lisa smile that's quiet and speaks of private joy. I'm sitting across the corner of the table from him, looking up at the camera with my mouth hanging open and my short, curly orange hair everywhere.

Besides painting, my great-grandfather was most well known for his storytelling. Not only was he exceptionally eloquent in his tales, but his posture was unique. When starting on a familiar story, he would lean forward towards his listeners, spread his fingers and palms into steeples, and emphasize his words by tapping or bouncing his fingers onto the table in front of him.

In this particular picture, he has his fingers spread in such a manner while I imitate him and stare at the camera.

Just mentioning stories reminds me of this captured moment. Quite bittersweet now, since I have no memories of Great-grandpop Lou remaining except what is shown in photographs.