While messing around with my blog today, I was looking through some pictures to use for backgrounds on National Geographic and found this article.

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/afghangirl/index.html

The picture on the left was taken the year after I was born, and I didn't know it existed until I was around 5 or 6. When I first saw it I couldn't take my eyes off her, and nothing has changed. A friend of mine, who was born in Korea, painted a replica of the picture above. Sharbat is her name, and the photographer who took the original picture went back to Afghanistan in search of the girl he'd photographed years ago. She is now a woman possibly around 30, and is a mother now. I find that amazing! It's hard for me to see the picture on the left; you can tell she's been through it. For the last month I've been looking at Photography schools, and now I know for sure that this is something I want to pursue. How wonderful to be a part of someone’s life, and have them be a part of your's and watch the years bring change and hope!

Sharbat, I'm sure you will never read this, but thank you for letting Steve take your picture. You are a true hope and inspiration.

...more to come