As I make my slow pilgrimage through the world, a certain sense of beautiful mystery seems to gather and grow.~A. C. Benson

Detroit Institute of Art. Frieda and Diego in Detroit Exhibit. Shot with a Canon 70D.

The pictures below do not do justice to the enormous scale of Edward Burtynsky’s work.  In a recent exhibit of his photographs at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, I took a few shots of his work– shot high above the beach in Coney Island, New York and along the Ganges River in India.

Beach Umbrellas. From the Edward Burtynsky: Water Exhibit.  Grand Rapids Museum of Art. Shot with a Samsung Galaxy S5.

The Ganges River. From the Edward Burtynsky: Water Exhibit.  Grand Rapids Art Museum. Shot with a Samsung Galaxy S5.

There is such power in these human gatherings–when people unite for prayer, for sports, for rituals, for celebrations.

Hare Krishna Group, Chicago, IL. Shot with a Canon 70D.

These gatherings can bring out the best in us and the worst.

4 Dancers, Chicago Hispanic Festival, Chicago, IL. Shot with a Canon 40D.

At best, we can transcend our individual selves to form a greater whole.  In this situation our happiness grows, filling us and spilling over to everyone nearby. Or, conversely, in our worst moments, we can get mired in our differences and our unhappiness seems to magnify until it is almost unbearable.  (We’ve all sat through those holiday dinners where tempers flare and doors slam.)  So, my wish is that you find joy and unity in your gatherings with friends and family during this holiday season.   And all the best to you and your loved ones in 2016.