Flash Forward

As part of our family vacation, we visited the Newseum in Washington, D.C.  We probably wouldn't have known this place existed except that it is one of the places Hillary was introduced to during one of her trips a couple of summers ago.  It has only been open since 1997 and is a 6 story compilation of the best of journalism and the people who bring us the happenings of the world.  Hillary fell in love with the place and it fanned the glowing embers in her heart into flame, solidifying her decision to make Photojournalism her career goal. 
We oohed and ahhed and took pictures with cardboard G-Men.  We looked at Pulitzers and the Guttenheim Bible and re-lived the pain of 9/11. 
And about half-way through the day, we noticed some breaking news happening right outside the museum.  The streets were blocked off and police cars had lights flashing.  Fire trucks wailed in the distance, making their way to where we were.  And a man was sitting in the back of a police truck being dressed in "bomb gear".  Hillary grabbed my camera and we headed to the rooftop patio where we could get a God's eye view of the action. 
And there was a moment...as Hillary was hanging over the edge of the balcony, snapping picture after picture...showing no fear and determined to "get" the story...that it was like time folded in on itself and I saw what could be the future. 
And I was terrified at first.  I don't want my child to be the one running to the danger...going to war...risking her life to show us the world and the truth.
But then I was proud.  Proud to know that if this is the path she takes, she will be one of the best.  And the rest of us will know the world better as we see it through her unusual eyes.  God has made her uniquely for her calling.  And he will take her to it and through it.  (And me too!)
The bomb threat proved to be a false alarm and everything went back to normal.  We finished our tour and went on to the next attraction.
But the image of that moment was flash-burned into my heart.