She left for college last week, my youngest daughter. She was so excited and busy preparing. We were out together and I wanted to take her picture.

No.

Why not?

People are watching.

Come on, just stand over there. The light is nice.

No!

She can be that way, stubborn, strong willed, opinionated. If there were still knights in the world, I’m sure she would be among their order, defending the weak, championing the right and the good against injustice. She was not shy about telling me when my decisions were, in her opinion, unjust. She was, often, like now, embarrassed by my actions.

Dad, not now.

I took a picture of her shadow as she walked away. I didn’t ask for permission.

She is gone, away to college. I am confident that in her studies she will find a grail, or bring back an elixir that will change the world. Her quest has certainly changed mine.

Our house is much quieter. I don’t wait up at night for her to come home. Her room is clean.

Yet, in the early morning, I still catch glimpses of her shadow and I find that I miss the light of her smile.