Things Change. Things Stay the Same.

I have to trust that there will be future opportunities to take pictures of Sam at college. Even though I had my camera for our last week, I didn’t get it out. Sometimes taking pictures keeps me from fully experiencing the event I’m trying to capture in images. That’s how I felt today. Being on campus again (I graduated from MTSU in ’87) and being there with my son, Sam, was both exciting and surreal.

Over the years, people have told me how much it’s grown and changed. Yes, there are several new buildings and construction of even more in what used to be a field. But the older part of the campus hasn’t changed at all. Classrooms were the same, professors’ offices where in the same places, public gathering areas were the same.

While were were there touring the honors building and dorm, it was the first time I’ve seen Sam excited about what’s quickly moving toward him. His excitement made me feel this sense of possibility and expectation for him. It also made me feel nostalgic and old. More than once, I thought about my own parents and what they might have been feeling when they dropped me off at school, how the felt when they didn’t hear from me, or when I called asking for money.

In many ways, I know Sam doesn’t feel like he’s ready for this. Neither am I. Hopefully, we’ll let the excitement and possibilities see us through. The thing is, it doesn’t matter if we do or not. Fall is coming, and off he’ll go.

Blessings to you, Prince Sam!