Afternoon in the Park.

I’ve been photographing this little girl for a while now, and had to share in her mom’s nostalgia a bit during this last shoot.  She is getting so big.  And we were all a little caught off guard about it.

I quickly realized how much of a lovely girl she is becoming, filled with a paradox of guarded feminine daintiness and intense enthusiasm for life.  She had no guards the last time I saw her.  She was pure child. However, the world is training her, and very slowly, she is being formed into a  young lady, who will soon be formed into a beautiful young woman.

I can envision her now: polished and poised to the tee.  ”To-do” list in one hand, college applications in the other. So that’s why, for a few minutes at least, it was nice to walk around with her barefoot, play with silly hats, and have her explain to me how God made the trees.

One day soon she will be hustling past those very same trees, accomplishing all that life has in store for her.

Parenthood is like that….isn’t it?  The passage of time….even with other people’s children…constantly surprises us, doesn’t it?  And for a moment, it takes our breath.

I’m reminded of a favorite quote by J.K. Rowling:  ”Time is making fools of us again”  and I realize, once again, why I love doing what I do.

I cannot stop time anymore than you can.  But I can do my best to record it.  And I know, all too soon, I’m going to be desperate to have it back.

And hopefully, someday, when life has her deeply entrenched on the paths that will lead her to all she is intended to achieve, these pictures will remind her of a peaceful hour spent barefoot in a park on a beautiful spring day.

And she’ll have it back again.

 

Until next time, happy Easter everyone!  Enjoy it. – PB