In this 1984 photo of my parents helping their first grandchild learn to walk, he appears fascinated with the shadows on the sidewalk in front of them.
It reminded me of this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson from “A Child’s Garden of Verses” (I still have my copy from childhood . . . do you?):
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from te heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.He hasn’t got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he’s a coward you can see;
I’d think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.
16 Comments
Wow you’re early! Great shot. I’m going to use something similar with a shadow on an object. My post isn’t up yet though … even though I signed your Mr. Linky. I will have a post up in a few hours though.
how cool! Love the flashback pic! Mines up also.
Oh look at that! That is really a cute photo.
What a precious photo for their grandson to have in the future! Great choice for the hunt! My photo is up please come and visit
Another good shot for the family album. Great shots for the theme. Have a nice weekend! http://crizlai.blogspot.com/2007/07/photo-hunters-shadow_14.html
A very cute picture. I like it even more that is was from 1984. I love the 80’s and 84 gave us the Transformers. Maybe I just like the Transformers. Sorry 1984 made me go off on a tangent. I also wanted to let you know that there is still time to enter my contest for a great photography gadget at Win an XShot from BenSpark.
that photo is definitely a keeper!! Great shot.
What a neat photo,…. and all children seem fascinated with their own shadows. My granddaughter does too. Great take on the theme this week and thanks for sharing.
That’s a really great memory!!!! Cute duck sweater!
So cute! 🙂 What a wonderful photo and a great memory. 🙂
My shadow.
That’s adorable!
Great “pre digital era” photo.
Great photo. What a very special moment. I recall this RLS poem with great affection. One of the best blessings of little ones is that they remind us that everything is magic and wonderful and that we are not alone.
God bless your Sunday!
What a cutie! 🙂 Your parents look very proud!
what a great pic – priceless
the little one will grow fast with shadows like those 😉