BORDERLAND Two decades ago we stood surrounded by silver birches slowly turning gold and looked across towards the frontier. ‘Over there’ I said, ‘two miles away is where America begins, I think I t’s somewhere you will know one day’ dark eyes scanned the distance, questioning my words. I’d shown you how to strip off layers of bark revealing ochre surfaces beneath. At 16 months your life was opening out with Papa’s 3 year stint in Montreal, but yet I wonder, my Swiss Emily, was this the moment that defined the dream you’ve chosen now to follow? Did it begin when you and I stood among the goldening trees?