Last Day with Alex

Last day with Alex. Tomorrow we leave for New Orleans. I think he is ready, but am I? I thought I was doing okay, but today, I am realizing, this is it! The tears are starting to get very close to the surface. My son is the one who has needed me the most. Did I do everything I could to prepare him to face the world on his own? He is very quiet and generally keeps his thoughts to himself, but he is also very kind, observant and makes friends easily with his uplifting and happy spirit. He doesn't have friends his age, in New Orleans. Will he be lonely? His uncle will love him and be his closest ally, but will he retreat more into himself or open up with his new freedom? Hopefully, he will immerse himself in his studies and discover how much fun the process of learning can be. I suppose that's every mothers dream. Please study, please take school seriously, please make friends easily, please have fun-but not too much!, and most of all, please find a happy, productive and fulfilling life for yourself! My little monkey is a man now, but I will still be holding his hand as he starts this next first day of school. (photography by Kelly Moore)