This photograph of a school of moon jellies (Aurelia Labiata) was taken at the Monterey Aquarium a couple of years ago. The transparent jellies were fascinating, but what really struck me about the whole day at the aquarium was Kemper’s wonder at each new thing he saw. I’ve spoke about my renewed fascination with nature in many earlier posts, but it is seeing his attitude towards the same that really excites me.
I took a number of pictures of the jellyfish with him by my side, but the most enjoyment I had was watching him follow the jellyfish in the huge tanks. It was obvious that he would fixate on one and try to follow it amongst the school, and then he would just stand back a bit and watch the school as a whole. He didn’t say anything, and he certainly didn’t have to. I recognized the look in his eyes and appreciated his wonder, because I had felt it before. In fact, I was feeling it once more, but this time through his eyes.
I cammot explain what it is to experience something through your child’s eyes. I felt deeply grateful that you are able to provide him with the experience and to see him enjoying life. I don’t know of the word in the English language to describe that sense of fulfillment, peace, satisfaction, and pleasure that comes from the enjoyment of something so pure and simple as watching a school of jellyfish float around an aquarium. Whatever it is, when I see his huge brown eyes widen and light up, I know that feeling firsthand.
ST. AMAND PHOTOGRAPHY 