Inukshuk

Throughout the circumpolar world, stone figures known as inukshuit dot the landscape. Used for communication and to demark the trail that is to be followed, these stone figures have also become known in the more southen climes of our country.

We may not have an inukshuk in our home (at least not the large roughly made ones that are typical of the artic) but all around us are other kinds of indications of significant moments in our lives. Picture frames can also fulfil this purpose, as they hold the treasured memories of our past and remind us of our roots. Perhaps they stand as reminders of the joy of our lives, like little children ... who grow and change so quickly that we adults must be vigilant about keeping track of the major turning points along the road.

In the early stages of infancy, babies are the most rapid to denote the changes both in physiology and temprament as they 'find their way'. So it is that I've discovered an inukshuk of sorts in the form of a multi-image frame which proudly displays pictures of my little niece at each of the past six months of her earthly existence. These pictures tell a thousand words as they reflect the curiosity that is typical in a child's face, but they also recount the extreme joy that is at times fleeting and at other times a constant inhabitant of the owner's heart.

Faces both young and old hold the reflection of the heart that beats within. If this face is any indication of that truth, then the natural wonder of childhood lives side by side with the anguish of trying to communicate (sometimes unsuccessfully) and with the peaceful contentedness of one who knows she is home and deeply loved.