My father took this photo. In Bath, in the square by the Abbey. He took it, without realising that I was in it. On the bench. On the far left. Nursing the baby. Which is a statement both about my father's ability to focus on things past the point of reason (like taking a good photo versus noticing his own daughter's in the shot?) but also on this...
I sat in this square in 2001, on my first trip to England. I was 21, a bit lost, very lonely, and unsure where I was going. This photo captures the 'after' of that series. Sitting on (virtually) the same bench, 8 years later, one teaching degree, one masters degree, one marriage, one baby, and a partial PhD later. Life spins.
I am so much more whole, happy, cynical, content, and willing to be still now. I treasure the really challenging experiences that have brought me here, and I am cognizant that nothing stays still. I think I'll go back to that square in another 10 years or so, just to touch base with myself.
Happy anniversary, womanhood.
