Sunday in the Park With My Daughter

My daughter asked me to snap some pictures of her the other day. What? I shrieked with joy and knew just where we’d go. When I’ve asked Zoe if I could photograph her singing, the reply lately has been a fervent head shake or definitive “no.”

Zoe strummed her guitar, and I brought one of my instruments–a camera. Her chords blew in the wind along with our delightfully disheveled hair. The first photo (above) is one of my favorites. Zoe had no idea I took it. (If you’re reading this message today, surprise! And I have several more.).

It was a beautiful day–breezy and balmy. I am grateful for our Florida winters. The reason I chose this tranquil park in Davie is that I hoped we would see horses. Zoe used to ride and adores all animals. She, nor I, could’ve predicted what happened next.

She strolled ahead, spotted a caramel-colored horse, and approached its owner to ask if it was okay to pet it. I held my breath as the feisty mare nudged Zoe under her chin, more than once, and a bit brazenly. She stroked and spoke to the tall, lean creature, and the animal’s sassy behavior ceased.

I continued clicking and snapping from behind the lens, capturing my 17-year-old daughter in her element. Such a gift to share this time together. 

Then I noticed this exquisite, textured tree. Its thick, entwined roots captivated me. It must be incredibly old. And it got me thinking about roots and how roots can be family. Roots can be friends. We are rooted to ourselves and to nature. We are generations growing branches and creating our stories.

How many souls have sat under its canopy or climbed its branches? Zoe quickly jumped down. White jeans, jagged limbs, and a massive spider web apparently aren’t a wise combo. 

Please continue to scroll down for this week’s SOUL STORY video. The intricate tree inspired me to pause and record a spontaneous message. It’s less than two minutes because Zoe returned. And she’d be embarrassed if she saw me talking to myself! (Though she wouldn’t be surprised.).

This magnificent tree and its history also prompted me to think about the following questions:

What roots you?

What grounds you?

What roots will you grow in 2022? 

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