SVALBARD 78°12’57.6”N 15°45’18.8”E
My summer is filled with small hikes and long hours spent exploring the wilderness. Each year, I return to visit an old furry friend, Azul—a blue morph Arctic fox I met five years ago—and his partner, Ada. I often wonder if they have weathered the long, harsh polar night. I’m always moved by their strength and commitment to raising the next generation of strong creatures. Watching them thrive has inspired me to find the spark of life I thought I was missing in myself. Arctic foxes have taught me lessons about strength, resilience, commitment, and love. As I follow the journey of these remarkable creatures, I’m reminded that every living being here has an important story. Each one is unique, with their own personalities, challenges, and strengths. Life in the Arctic isn’t easy—especially for those who remain here year-round. “Softly, I let my colours move with the wind. I know that when winter comes, I’ll fade away. But I trust my roots to bring me back to life, so I can dance with you once more.” The landscapes are painted in golden and pink hues. As I walk through these vast lands, filled with tiny details, my heart swells with love. I know that just as the flowers fade, my colours will fade too one day. The first sunset has arrived. I haven’t seen such a golden goodbye in years. It’s brief—less than 5 minutes until the sun rises again—but it feels like an eternity. From now on, the sky will paint itself in those vivid colours again, a reminder of the welcome backs we’ve already experienced. But this time, those colours will signal late goodbyes. The archipelago grows quiet as the first snow begins to fall. The valleys and bird cliffs that were once loud with life now feel empty, and a certain nostalgia settles in my soul. In such a short span of time, everything changes so quickly. The sea is calm now, and the pods of belugas have departed. The walruses, too, are on their way to their overwintering grounds. Migratory birds, having completed their brief stay, are heading south. In the blink of an eye, the newly hatched chicks will be making their own long journeys across the globe. Arctic terns, with their pole-to-pole migration, will face challenges that test their strength and shape their lives. “I raise my eyes for a moment, trying to spot the last remnants of life in the sky. A deep blue blanket signals the arrival of the polar night.” The sun won’t rise above the horizon for the next few months. And I have waved a thousand goodbyes. Living here, in this remote place, has made me more aware than ever of the seasonality of life—how people, like the migratory birds, are often just passing through. Some stay longer than others, but regardless of how long we’re here, every life that crosses our path leaves an impact and touches our souls deeply. Soon, it’ll be my turn to leave Svalbard. As I write this, I realise it’s a love letter, a goodbye to the place that rekindled my love for life. Perhaps, when the sun returns, I’ll find my way back to the pink bright skies that will embrace me once more under the midnight sun.
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MOTHER VOLUME FOUR
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