Nada Bunnell Photography

Below is something I wrote 6 years ago. It explains why the blue bicycle photo is my unofficial logo and appears on this page and on my web site.

The Bicycle Mind - Set

Today I bought my first new car. It’s red, a soft, classy red, with tinted windows and a sporty rear spoiler. It’s the most beautiful car I’ve ever seen. Today, I also made the decision to stop living my life with a bicycle mind - set.


I grew up on a farm in Ohio in the 40’s and 50’s. We didn’t have much money, but I had a very rich childhood. We were a closely knit family who spent time together, loved and respected each other, and went to church every Sunday. But there was one thing missing for me. I wanted a bicycle more than anything...more than store bought clothes, instead of home-sewn ones; more than eating out in a real restaurant; even more than moving to town, so I could be one of the town kids, instead of a country girl.


On Christmas morning in 1951, I was eight years old. Christmas was a big deal in our family. We received lovely gifts, small things that we had wished for, and always some that we loved and hadn’t even known we had wanted! What made the season special for us, were all the preparations and festivities that my mother orchestrated. She made the most beautiful and elaborate decorations out of virtually nothing. We baked and decorated Christmas cookies, and we decorated the house and tree together. Then my cousins, aunts and uncles came from near and far to celebrate the holiday with us. On this particular Christmas morning in 1951, even my grandpa came from his home nearby to be part of our gift opening. That was a first for him! As I came down the stairs early that Christmas morning, I peeked around the corner, and there was the most beautiful blue girl’s bicycle I had ever seen...and I wouldn’t look at it! Everyone was so excited, they could scarcely stand it, and I refused to acknowledge the bicycle that quite obviously was meant for me. I remember hiding my face in my mother’s skirt. Nothing was going to make me look at that bike.


I’ve thought about that morning many times. How they were able to buy that beautiful, brand spanking new bicycle, I’ll never know, and how I must have disappointed my family with my reaction. I’ve wished I could explain what happened that morning, but I never knew myself. But now I finally get it. I get it! I was afraid to think it was mine, because I wanted it so much. I was afraid that if I ran to it and embraced it, that some unknown entity would snatch it out of my hands, and the wanting would be
worse than it was before that Christmas morning in 1951. It was fear that took over...total blinding, mind-numbing fear...the fear of what might happen if.


I’ve lived most of my life with the fear of what might happen if. Why? I don’t know. What matters is that I’m now choosing to live my life with the wonder of what happens if you allow it. I’ve begun living my life one day at a time, taking time to breathe in the sweet air and appreciate what I do have. I don’t worry about tomorrow. Instead, I drink in and enjoy the sweet taste of today.


God opens doors in the most unexpected places, and I don’t want to miss even one open door adventure. It’s a better journey than a ride on that blue bicycle; the one of which my family soon convinced me was really mine; the one I shoveled a path for in the snow, so I could learn how to ride. Oh, how I loved that bicycle, once I was able to accept it as my own. And now, more than fifty years later, I’m the proud, happy owner of my second brand spanking new wheeled vehicle. This time I know it’s mine. This time I know God has placed this beautiful car in my driveway, because I wanted it, and I deserve it. Now don’t get me wrong; it’s an economy car, and I have many years of payments to make. But when I stopped letting the fear of what might happen if rule my life and began believing anything is possible with the wonder of what happens when you allow it, life became infinitely more bright and beautiful. And I just know in my heart, that I can do anything I want! Life is good.


Nada Bunnell
Owner, Gentle Presence Photography





October 22, 2004