In A Flash, Everything Changes
Today was a day that I’ve been dreading for 13 years.
Today was the day I realized that my baby has grown into a strong, independent young girl.
Today was the day my daughter (and only child) left on a 9-day trip with classmates to Seoul and Hong Kong.
Today was the day I understood that she will be shaped by her own experiences – often without me – and that she will not be exactly the same girl when she returns home from this adventure.
And, today I’m good with that.
If you are a parent, my “today” will strike home.
My husband and I are so proud that our daughter will be in Hong Kong representing her school and state, as part of the Junior Model United Nations Conference. She and other middle school students from around the world will be experiencing a simulated summit on international issues.
She will also get a glimpse of South Korean life as she spends three days in Songdo with a family from the “sister” school of her Palos Verdes campus. She will be experiencing things that back “in the day” we only dreamed of. As difficult as it is to see our only child grow up, it is very satisfying to see her develop into confident individual. Wow!
When getting ready to head to the airport, the thought of NOT taking my camera never entered my mind. I knew this was an opportunity to document a key moment in my daughter’s life (and mine!) – one that I could never recreate and one that she, her father & I will forever cherish.
Now that she’s cruising at 35,000 feet in the air, with a long journey ahead of her, my only hope is that she takes it all in, locks it safely somewhere in her heart and mind, and reflects often on this experience.
So, what’s my message?
Life is fleeting and we need to take the time to document it…the small moments as well as the big ones. It’s times like this one that I know that I am in the right profession. To borrow a tagline from Kodak, a photograph is “a fond memory that lasts a lifetime.” This phrase is never more true than right now.
Give me a call to discuss how I might assist you with documenting the ordinary and extraordinary times in you family’s life journey. With me on hand, you get to be in the photos too!
Share On