Penning Photography Daily

Downtown Springfield, Illinois, USA

A set of statues, depicting the family of President Abraham Lincoln, prior to his being elected President in 1860.

The only home he ever owned is restored to life here in Springfield. Much of the travel and tourism industry revolves around Lincoln, his days as a State Legislator, County Lawyer, and erstwhile candidate for political office (he failed at several elections prior to his election to the Presidency).

This is the back of a set of statues of Abe, his wife Mary Todd, and one of their sons (I cannot recall which at this time). There’s another statue of an older Lincoln child a few steps further, to which the young son is waving.

The scene is right outside of Mr. Lincoln’s law office which he shared with his partner William Herndon. The bricks to the left are the corner of that office.

I take it for granted, living in the same town as Lincoln did. He’s also buried her in a grand tomb.

I’ve not traveled much, but I wonder if it’s the same familiarity which a native of Rome, or Paris, or Singapore, or Cairo feels to walk the same path that others in history have.

I stare in wonder at the new, I glaze over the familiar.

Somehow, looking through my camera lens, has given me new perspective to see the old familiar as new – when I take time to see.