Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion online supplement. had an article about the midcentury magazine covers of illustrator Al Parker. In particular the article highlighted his mother/daughter series. The author says:

The simple compositions often depicted the daughter learning something from the mother or helping her in some way. Everywhere I looked, moms and daughters were happily skating, swimming, making holiday decorations, or buying war bonds together. I guess there was no such thing as a generation gap in those days.

The illustrations are as wonderful as described. They made me think of my own daughters and how our relationship is growing and changing. Both of the older girls are becoming delightful young women. Both are eager and capable workers, one more domestically inclined, the other more at home outside. Both of them fall into step with whatever task I have at hand, quietly and confidently filling in where extra hands are needed while happy chatter passes the time.

Moira is my right hand in the barn. She never needs to be told, just quietly works her way around the barn feeding and moving stock in or out. We don’t need words as we milk together. We each know our part and can work together comfortably.

Alannah has become quite adept at seeing what needs to happen with homemaking and little ones. She took it upon herself to reorganize the little boys’ drawers and closet a few weeks back. I overheard her admonishing them to try to keep them up because “mom has a lot to do”. I snapped this picture the other day. I walked into the kitchen and she was sorting the drop pile at the edge of the counter without prompting. Now, I love my boys with all my heart but I don’t think it has ever occurred to one of their gender to stop at a pile and sort it on the spot.

All is not drudgery. We laugh and shop and pray and play a good deal. It is just a different relationship from that which I share with my boys and I feel so blessed to have both experiences.