I stopped in surprise and thought:

“Woow, it is happening!”

I have been fortunate to have had a very close relationship with my daughters since their birth, 12 and 14 years ago. And I have realized that big steps in their development as human beings and growing up, just suddenly appears like this, a bit of a shock and then realizing, my girl is on route to become a responsibile grown up! Moments you feel infinite love.

My girls are quite different personalities. Eva, the oldest is by the day turning into what my agent Thierry calls a typical author type. Silent, loving, intellectual, somewhat controlling her feelings, always thinking and observing. Her sister, Dana, is quite the opposite. And right now, she was forcing her way through deep snow,breaking trail climbing up the steepest part of a local hill called Bullberget. (Possibly meaning Bun Mountain or Dana thinks, Cinnamon Roll Mountain due to all the layers we had to cross to get up.) It was hard work and Dana had been leading since we started 2 hours earlier slogging through the forest to get to the mountain. The idea was that this was a training moment for all three, preparing for the summers Expedition and filming in the Himalayas. I was carrying 23 kgs and needed the hard work, but Dana wanted to lead. And when I asked her if I could do the hard work, she looked at me confidently and said that she is in control. Dana is fit and strong for her age. She is also very encouring to the rest of us and she left us loving hearts in the snow when we couldn´t keep up with her. Always positive.

That was a big moment for me. I have such a trust in my girls ability outdoors, and indoors (!),I would not hesitate to let them set off for a few days by themselves on the mountain and do the whole Expedition thing. Reading maps, cooking, putting up camp. Soon that will happen. They want to.

Loving is great and the meaning of life.

PS. Hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls, hot dogs, chips and sweets at the top. Of course. Also the meaning of life. DS

Photo Copyright Eva Strandberg