My daughter and I

As a mother and daughter we went through so many phases.

It has always been my daughter and I. Just us!

At the beginning she was so dependent on me for everything and I was the center of her universe. I sure enjoy those days.

Later I was the one she would question everything but listen and sometimes abide.

Slowly I introduced her to music from the 60’s,photography and love for animals. I was never able to make her wear a dress and have always admired her energetic and very optimistic nature. She always had an opinion about everything but always willing to help and care.

While riding in the car, there were always two games we would always play together. One I would tell a story that came from a theater play, like Shakespeare and we would talk about it. The other I would say a word and she would have to sing a song with that word. The radio was always on so she became an expert on this game.

During the years we went through many laughs, some tears, struggles, losses and victories.

The time came when the urge to be independent put us in different roles and I became the one she would question and judge wrong. I call these the deaf years.

Yes, we learned how to increase the sound of our voice during those days. But eventually they did transition into a phase of discovery and exploration for her. By herself, trying new things, new ways, new friends.

Big life changes came when we moved to a new place where even the stars were different. These changes made us work close together, facing every challenge and taming every dragon that would come our way.

Challenging times that made her a strong woman but a person not willing to share any weakness. Silent like the flight of a barn owl when it came to sharing emotions.

When the wind changed and things settled we had the time to use as we pleased and we took a hobby together: photography. Our favorite subject: Wildlife. Got some cameras and off we went. Easier said than done because on my side, I had never touched a digital camera and it was so different from what I was used to. She would laugh about it and I would re read the manual again.

We started exploring new grounds, admiring birds, chasing bears, looking for moose. For years we couldn’t find any owls. We kept a bird book with us that we would mark every type of bird we photographed and there were no marks on the owls page.

By watching birds, we found out they tend to be very methodical within their habits, so we decided to change ours.

We changed places, the hours we would go out, even learning to be silent and patient.

One day at last this beautiful big barn owl flew by us, very low. It was almost dark. We left the car and took picture after picture of that animal flying and hunting. Then she stopped on a pole and looked at us. I was shaking with excitement. Such a quiet and pretty creature and those eyes! They spoke so much.They have always been attached to magic, no wonder, their eyes can penetrate your sould.

We were dancing and screaming “At last an owl, an owl at lastl!”

We had finally found our treasure: The joy of looking hard for something we wanted, the thrill of the chase and the unique moment that we had the blessing of spending together. No words needed, just the feeling of the moment bonding that connection.

After that the game became finding other types of owls, which we did for many days and months.

From the outside we may have this sea between us called age difference by boy, oh boy, have we learned how to swim together. Every wave is a new adventure we take. Not two islands, but both part of the water that creates new currents.