An Afterthought

Through the Eyes of a Child, © 2021 by Anna DeStefano, Affirmation Photography™

Anna DeStefano is a best-selling novelist and an awardwinning fine art photographer who lives in Clarkesville, Georgia. Her visual stories of healing and hope evolved from her passion to uplift and encourage. Her Affirmation Photography™ is placed regularly in private collections and healing spaces, including Emory Healthcare locations throughout Atlanta.

Explore Anna’s Heart Open blog and more images of reflection and peace at www. affirmationphotography.com. View pieces from her latest collections in person at Timpson Creek Gallery in Clayton, GA.

For me, staying young means experiencing the world with a sense of wonder. Little ones seek with amazement. They discover impossible things in silly, vulnerable ways. In the earliest of our days, we assume we’ll be good at whatever we try. We swan dive from one adventure into the next. We surround ourselves with friends, real and imaginary. We thrive on inspiration, favorite colors and toys, as we float away on the magic of a soft, nurturing blanket.

We’re often a mess. But who cares how it looks? Life is good. Our birthright is endless possibility. We lose ourselves in curiosity and delight, because NOW is all there is.

Growing up charms us away from that momentto-moment existence. And yet the unrestrained creativity that first awakened our souls remains deep inside, eager to explore without limits.

That yearning is why I create images like this one (of a favorite sculpture from Gibbs Gardens). On a warm spring day, I took five near-identical captures of this scene, each focused differently, intending to combine them later. The idyllic, picture-book result has become a favorite of mine and others. Each time I revisit it, I remember the magic of that day.

At the time I had no idea exactly what I would do with the images. Frankly, I didn’t care. The light was perfect. The flowers and their gentle arc of color behind the sculpture were everything. Caressed by the sweetest of breezes, I saw myself releasing that bronze butterfly. I imagined where it would soar. I longed to fly with it to its next delightful perch, and then the next. Lost in a moment teaming with joy, I resolved to somehow share the magic.

In 2021, I’ll work and play to capture more experiences like this. With each “Afterthought,” I’ll hope you’re inspired to explore your own world with unchecked abandon.

Life IS good.

Let’s resolve to live that truth, to stay young at heart, and to see where the wonder takes us!