Reluctant Rosie

I ask myself, why do elephants tear at my heartstrings? Africa has often been unsafe to certain communities.  East Africa certainly.  Possibly Kenya.  I have personally only experienced love and happiness in Africa, and I keep those memories very close.  I recall a memory from when I gazed upon a majestic elephant slowly meandering, the sun on its back, the smell of the dry earth, the immense solitude only broken by the gentle snapping of the giant elephant grass around it being pulled up by its trunk.  The distant flies buzzing. The cold beer afterwards.  The power of this memory connects me with what is important in life, like peace and harmony. Like elephants. These wonderful animals, just going about their daily business, nurturing their young, doing their best.

Elephants love and protect each other which is vital to their survival. This is Reluctant Rosie, half turning away from the camera amidst the deep emerald conveys to me the gentleness and sensitive nature of an animal that shys away from confrontation and disturbance. Not a bit like me, ha!