Like Mother, Like Daughter

Image courtesy of Lisa Hanly’s Food Trip blog.

One of my favorite photos shows my toddler son sitting on my desk, gripping a pen in his chubby hand, scribbling in one of my notebooks with a look of utter concentration. He grew up with a penchant for telling stories, and although his chosen media are not the same as mine, I love that he feels comfortable sharing his creativity with the world.

I imagine that’s how my friend Lisa Hanly feels about her daughter, Fiona Ferguson. They’re a dynamic duo of talented writers who are both at pivotal points in their lives: Lisa recently retired, and Fiona is working on her college degree.

I’ve had Fiona’s writing on my list to share for a while now, ever since she published this piece about paragliding. I can relate to both perspectives: a twenty-something in Europe and a parent trying not to helicopter.

Then today Lisa shared “Lessons Learned from Mentors Half My Age,” and I was reminded where Fiona gets her bravery. The situations are totally different, but I think you’ll agree that jumping off a cliff might actually be the easier of the two adventures.

I’m inspired by their willingness to share their parallel journeys of discovery.