On the Edge

Part of the reason I like taking pictures is the surprise I get every time I upload pictures from my camera. There is something about seeing what was captured on the larger screen of my computer. (It's the main reason the television fairy should leave a large, flat screen, able to be wall mounted television on my doorstep. Imagine the surprise on a really big screen. Hey, a girl can hope!)

Almost without exception, the photos that I like best are those that were total accidents. The ones that were taken with a wonder what if and a click.

Sometimes the pictures show things that I never expected. The picture above is like that.

When I learn more about the technical aspect of good photography, I will probably find that it isn't that great.

But, it is a picture of my girl by herself. Because she is an only child, I know that she feels alone a lot. We have taught her since forever that she is never truly alone--and she knows that but everyone, only child or not, feels alone sometime.

It is a picture of my girl carefully balancing the fine line of shallow safety and unknown depths. She knew she could swim if her foot slipped off the ledge but as I snapped the pictures, my mother's heart wondered, "would she swim or panic?"

It is a picture of my girl doing something she loves--exploring. Like her mother, she wants to be adventurous and carefree but her instinctive cautiousness won't quite let her just do it. She--and I--look for opportunities to be adventurous within reason.

There's a lot about this picture that could make me sad. But, somehow, it doesn't. I get reminded of all the things I wish for her. Things like strong, true friendships and the ability and willingness to stand alone if necessary; judgment wise enough to know that sometimes it is best to stay on the safe side and the zeal to sometimes take on the unknown; a mind level enough to know the importance of balance and the ability to withstand the inevitable unbalance of life.


Then she does this...



...and I get concerned for her future.