

I have chosen this picture of my oldest daughter Jasmyn Ann Harrison. In fact as I write this essay on February 4th it her 21 birthday. The picture of her is when she was only 12 years old. Jasmyn is smiling and happy with not a care in the world. At this time my husband David who is a geophysicist was working on a job in Yosemite National Park. He was looking for John Muir’s house that was buried under sediment for years under Yosemite Fall. He had to be there for several days so the company who had hired him put the whole family up in the lodge while he worked. The kids and I had a free run of the park including going places locked off to the public. In this picture I took of Jasmyn she in sitting in front of Half Dome. Half Dome is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Yosemite. Rising nearly 5,000 feet above the Valley floor, it is one of the most sought-after landmarks in Yosemite. Jasmyn and I with two of her brother William and Matthew drove up to Glacier Point that day for lunch. Glacier Point, some would say, is the most spectacular viewpoint anywhere. Most people agree that its views of the high country and breathtaking views of Yosemite Valley. The reason I choose this picture of Jasmyn is that last week she was in a car accident in Utah where she lives. Jasmyn will be ok, but she will never be unscarred little girl like in the picture.