So there was this lighthouse I wanted to see. Sounds a bit like an earlier post from this week…. This one’s not all about me.My son and I took my mom on a vacation.To get to Egmont Key, you take a boat. No problem, we told my mom (who also grew up in New York City and never learned to swim), not to be afraid because we’d probably see some dolphins and all would be well. The water , a bit choppy , the boat zooming over the water, sunshine on our faces, we all relaxed. I couldn’t wait to land at the dock and start shooting. We drew close to the key and there’s no dock… There’s nothing but water. The crew is instructing us how to descend the ladder and then to wade to the key.My mom’s face said it all. I spoke to a crew member and asked if it would have been too much to tell us before we started out as to how we would get to land. His only answer was that the boat remains anchored until time to leave and if we didn’t want to leave the boat, all we could do was sit. Other passengers weighed in on our side as to how expecting this eighty year – old lady to wade through the water was wrong.But there still was no dock. A surprisingly strong voice next to me said, ” I’ll do it! ” The ladder was the easy part. My son , the first part of this sandwich, hit the water, felt the cold and the current., and grimaced at me.Mom ventured down next. One hand connected to her grandson, the other holding on to me. I descended and put my arms around her. She was shaking. The strong current and uneven bottom made trudging through chest high water difficult.Mom didn’t say a word, her teeth chattered and she put all her energy into holding tight.When we reached the beach, a crew member handed me our things. He had held them over his head as he followed us in. Mom set up camp on the beach, hung out some of her wet things on nearby branches, smiled bravely, and told us to go explore. Totally shocked, I wandered off. The key ‘s beauty is unquestionable. The lighthouse, wide swath of beach and remains of an old fort, all called to my camera. But what remained with me that day , was my mom’s strength and desire to accomplish something that terrified her in order to please us. I’m not sure I would have , but there’s a great lesson in courage for me to learn from this. After all these years , I’m still learning from my Mom.
July 26, 2012
July 26th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
This is an absolutly great picture! Where’s it taken? First time I wisit your blog, but I’ll sure be back to see and read more.
Have you been blogging for long? And photographing?
July 26th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
I’ve been photographing on and off since I was about 12. The photo was shot at Egmont Key State Park on the west coast of Florida. I’m glad you like it. I started my blog in March this year.
July 26th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Chest high water ? Now that is crazy for an 80-year old to deal with. She really is such a trooper.
July 26th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
She really was! Although she still never lets me forget it !
July 26th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Bravo Mom! I hope I’m that tough when I’m 80. And she gave you the opportunity to get this amazing shot. Thanks for sharing the photo and the story.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Thank you. She still reminds me that we did this, but I think she was impressed with herself. I was impressed.
July 27th, 2012 at 8:55 am
Thanks for the Follow. Your work in Black/white has many Adams’ tones, but I see Brad Washburn from the late 30’s in his White Mountain series and others, check it out.
Nice work.
July 29th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
I do love contrast in black and white but will look up Washburn because he’s unfamiliar to me. I love learning about new people ( to me) so I appreciate the idea.
July 30th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
What a heartwarming story! Kudos to your Mom. And I love your photographic style in the soft focus and infrared? B&W. Very nice.
July 30th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Thank you so much! She can be tough when she wants to be.I love IR.
October 3rd, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Inspiring and a beautiful image.
October 6th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
It was an incredible spot!
October 28th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Reblogged this on Ciara Hall Summary.