Special Moments

When I saw the theme for the POB Photo contest this week, an image of a photo immediately came to mind. Sometimes you have that with photos. They stick in your mind and that has everything to do with the special moments they carry with them. This photo of the Western Scheldt I took in 2013 has that for me. This photo carries such precious memories with it. And the photo itself is not that bad either, if I may say so myself. The light breaking through the clouds, the ships that seem to lie still on the water, and the soft golden glow of the horizon. It is as if the world holds its breath for a moment, while the sunbeams find their way to the earth. This photo carries memories of a day in the province of Zeeland. To be precise, of Ellewoutsdijk, a small village on the Western Scheldt.

A special day, a day when everything seemed in balance, and the future seemed to lie open before us. For the first time, we went out together with our four shepherd dogs: Lex, Rowan, Myla, and Lana. That alone was an experience in itself. Four big dogs, each with their character, but together a pack that seemed to be in perfect harmony. We had only been living together for a few months and were full of plans. That day we drove through Zeeland, looking for a house that we could make our home. We had seen a few cheap, charming houses with a large piece of land that we seriously considered.

Dreams

This photo was taken at the dike in Ellewoutsdijk where we stopped for a moment to enjoy the beautiful view and dream about a possible future here. The dogs were out and about. Lana, always full of self-confidence, ran ahead, while Myla, our carefree and social sweetheart, explored new scents everywhere. Lex kept an eye on everything, as the protector of the group, and Rowan, always attached to me, especially in new environments, stayed close to us. It was as if they all had their role, but still functioned as a unit.

We walked along the water together, the cold wind on our faces. The sky was heavily overcast, but at that exact moment, the sun broke through. The light fell in rays as if it were a message from above. I grabbed my camera and took this picture. I remember standing still for a moment and thinking, "This is perfect." It was a moment when everything was right when the future seemed full of possibilities.

Regrets

Unfortunately, buying a house did not happen at that time. In retrospect, that is one of the decisions we both regret. We should have gone for it, with conviction. But as it goes, life does not always go as you plan. A lot changed after that time. Financially we had to make sacrifices, especially due to the loss of an income. Would things have turned out differently if we had taken the step to move then? That is a question that will always remain open. And the dogs that accompanied us that day? They are no longer there. They too now only exist in memories. One by one we had to say goodbye to them, with the last two at the beginning of this year. The silence in the house still feels unbearable at times, but here too, the memories remain.

Looking at this photo now, I see more than just a landscape. I see a moment in time that I would like to hold on to. The Western Scheldt, with its vast water and that unmistakable smell of salt and freedom. The ships in the distance, on their way to their destination, and the windmills turning on the horizon, tirelessly. It is a scene that radiates peace, but also movement and change.

Long-lasting Memories

And even though they are not in the photo, I also see our dogs, as if they are still there. Lana, with her playful look. Myla, who always melted my heart. Lex, was always loyal and grateful for everything he received. And Rowan, my soulmate, one-sided but with a heart of gold. They have given us so much, and although they are no longer physically here, they live on in our memories.

And it is precisely the fact that you see so much more when you look at a photo, that part, that makes photos so special. And that is something I have always tried to capture in a photo. Not just an image, but much more, a feeling, a moment. A good photo captures what would otherwise be lost. When I look at this photo, I feel the hope and happiness of that day, but also the melancholy of everything that has changed since then. It is a reminder of what was, and a silent encouragement to continue, despite everything.

Maybe We'll Go Back

This day, this memory of that day at the Westerschelde will always have a special place in my heart. Maybe we will go back there again, without Lex, Rowan, Myla & Lana, but with Skipper and with the same appreciation for the beauty of the moment. Making new memories, because in the end, you can never have enough memories of beautiful moments. And in the end, it is also true that some memories are stronger than what we could ever have dreamed of.