Sunday, April 8, 2018

Daughters and Butterflies


Daughters and butterflies; beautiful, delicate creatures that we want to hold in our hands and protect from the world. But, if we hold too tightly, we end up damaging their fragile wings. Instead, we must provide a firm foundation for them to strengthen their wings upon. Then, when they are ready, let them go to soar upwards toward their own bright blue sky.


My daughter, Mallory, took a day off from work last week and suggested that we go visit the butterfly exhibit at the Frederik Meijer Gardens in the city. I had been wanting to go anyway, and it is more fun to go with someone, especially when that someone is your daughter.


I rarely get the chance to photograph her, being a stubborn child who prefers to stay out of the limelight. But trapped in a building, and with momma paying, she had little choice.  The outing also gave me a chance to use my 85mm lens, a lens I fall in love with every time I use it. Why don't I use it more?


There are over 60 species of butterflies from Asia, Africa, and Central & South America in the exhibit this year.





This is the Common Morpho butterfly. The underside of the wings have the most intriguing brown coloring and "eye" spots, but the topside of the wings are a breathtaking iridescent blue.


For the breath of a second, one landed on my sweater.

I made a short film of our day, much to my grumbling daughter's protest. If she only knew the joy that it brings to my "momma" heart to have this time together. Soon enough there will be someone else special in her life. I want to remember these fleeting, iridescent days.


Butterflies and Daughters from Sarah Huizenga on Vimeo.

16 comments:

Sandra said...

What a lovely place to go with your daughter. I like the first two shots very much. Gorgeous butterflies!

Lynne said...

I loved this visit . . .
(My mother daughter visits are my very favorites!)

Unknown said...

What a wonderful day for both of you, Sarah, and I love the butterflies/daughters analogy.
Happy Sunday to you!

Masha said...

This is so beautiful, your words and photos made me emotional and made me cry. Loved this.

chasing the sun said...

So beautiful, the time with your daughter and the pictures :-)

Cathy H. said...

Such a special outing! Love the first photo of you both together!

Katie said...

Such a special time together. I'm blessed that my girl comes over every Sunday "to hang out". We always wind up in my office talking about everything under the sun and have the best time. Daughters are something really special, aren't they?

Jill said...

What a nice memory that film will be of your day. The music paired so well with it. So true about butterflies and daughters.

Michelle B said...

How fun! I am glad I am not alone when it comes to my daughter not wanting her picture taken. I think I took too many pictures early on and she got tired of it. :) Your first paragraph is so true, what a wonderful comparison. You got some great shots and a lovely video. Thank you for taking us along on your special day.

Kanokporn said...

So true about butterflies and daughters.


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Karen Lakis said...

What a great idea - I would love a mother-daughter day off from work! It's wonderful that you and Mallory are able to enjoy these moments.

Beverly said...

The photos, words, and video are soooo beautiful Sarah! So happy you two enjoyed the day together. I've been to one exhibit here, and keep hoping for another one soon. I really enjoy watching your videos...so beautifully done.

Carola Bartz said...

Those are precious times when you can spend them with your daughter. I feel the same when I'm with my daughter. Sometimes it physically hurts to let them go, but I have raised her that way, to be independent and find her own path. It sounds you did the same. And thus those times are priceless.

hula-la said...

What a wonderful post! We must always cherish those moments with our daughters...they grow so fast, yet the memories remain! Lovely shots, and of course your little vid! Beautiful!

Suburban Girl said...

I love butterfly gardens, I was hoping Dow's would still be open but it had closed before I arrived in MI.

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