As a child, I’d watch my dad prance about with camera in hand. I’d watch as he pointed at flowers, waterfalls, squirrels, trees, birds, our pets, us. I’d stand by his side while he photographed (or attempted to photograph) lightning as it flashed through the sky. And, I’d be right at his elbow when he opened the envelope that contained his glossy pieces of art, smiling with him, studying each photograph. “Good Job, Dad!”

Today, my children see me walking in my dad’s footsteps. They watch as I prance about with camera in hand, pointing at flowers, waterfalls, squirrels, trees, birds, our cats and them. They stand beside me, face aimed toward the sky, watching while I shoot, then ask to see each image on the LCD. And, they are usually the first to see my glossy pieces of art, they smile with me as we study each photograph. They even say “Great Job, Mom!”

I owe it all to my dad.