It was quite late when I asked my Mom if she wanted to come down to the beach with me while I took some photographs.

We had gone out the night before in a dreadfully cold wind and I was pleasantly surprised when she agreed to head out again.

It was an amazing night for me. I don’t get to see my Mom that much anymore as I am in Canada and she is in Florida.

We walked and talked with long pauses where I set up the camera and took some long exposure shots. These periods of just standing and saying nothing went on for 5 or 10 minutes at a stretch and I realized (once again) just how magical it is to be with someone who was comfortable being present and not having to make small talk.

I began letting her operate the shutter release and then even compose and shoot some shots.

My Mom has always been an artist but I’ve never known her to be interested in photography.

The hours went by and we laughed and talked between periods of silence and staring at the moon and stars.

It was truly a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.