Another Monday. Another week in the history books. Another week closer to September and the end of summer 2010. As I listened to the news yesterday I was reminded by the news anchor there are only 45-more days until Fall. Seriously?! I don’t want to know this. I want to continue to live in this fantasy that summer will never end.
Stephen leaves for college in two days. Nancy and I discussed his absence. She didn’t want to talk about it because it made her want to cry and for me it’ll take just a little bit longer to acknowledge his absence. Either way, you’ll be missed Kujo. I taught mom how to use the computer so we can Skype each other during the week.
I stepped out of the house late yesterday and noticed something on the front porch. It was a gift bag. I say an envelope sticking out of the top of the bag and when I peered inside my lips immediately curled into a smile. The bag was left by friends who had kept every news article written about Stephen over the last year. I believe I was more impressed by the obvious impression my son had made on the lives of another couple they thought enough about him to complete this task and save these articles. It reminded me of Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and the discussions Mr. Covey has had about the importance of “leaving a legacy.” I believe this will be my son’s legacy; to be a quiet leader. To lead without having to demonstrate that level of leadership which has become so rampant in society and negatively demonstrated by some of the athletes, political figures, etc. who seem to believe the opposite is true.
I love you Stephen. You have made us so proud and have so much to be so proud of. Go to Alfed university. Study hard. Practice hard. Play hard. Never lose your focus and maintain your integrity as there is nothing more important that following your own path.
This past month I’ve had an opportunity to photograph some pretty amazing couples. Kristina and Jason then Beth and Matt. This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to the Southern Tier of New York; Westfield, New York to be exact to photograph an amazing family. The couple resides across the street from Barcelona Harbor. The area is beautiful especially in the summer. Here I go again. Everyone knows what a sucker I am for the water. I could have sat in the warm sand having my face warmed by the sun and simply allowed myself to get lost in the sound of the waves as they brushed up onto shore. OK, I know I can be an emotional sap but that’s how I feel when I’m near the water.
This family was a lot of fun to shoot. I arrived for the shoot at the time the family had specified. I was presented with a list of photos the family wanted to make sure I captured. Normally I’m not a fan of “shot lists” but in cases such as this when I don’t know any of the names a shot list comes in handy. The list is even more handy when a member of the family is willing to help coordinate family members. Thanks Paige. Your work helped everything to go that much more smoothly.
Here’s a sneak peak into that photo shoot. There will be more photos to come later this week. as every couple or family I photograph warrants their own blog post.
Thanks again for reading and keep coming back.
Chris
