Serge turned 15 last Friday...

.....the first birthday without his Dad. The first pictures are from playing around with the football in our backyard the day of Ken's funeral. The other shots are from Homecoming last year. He refused to smile for me, but eventually gave me some .

I think that he is quite photogenic, as well as others, but he does not approve of pictures being taken of him. I guess that I am the same way, except that I am no longer in my youth,(although my great Aunt Betty tells me that I am young- she is 96! and looks fabulous, BTW), and the camera does not always like me so much. Maybe I should practice like my kids do, goofing around all the time in front of the camera- the national , youth time fashion.

Nothing seems to be quite right for him right now. Food isn't quite right, the way with the family is not right,...he won't say this, but it's obvious. When my Mom died, he was 3. The day of the funeral he was quite upset about his belt. Nothing was right with his belt. He went on and on about the belt- so unlike this confident young man. Ken and I realized that it was because of losing his grandmother. Although, he doesn't even remember that now.

Anyhoo,the shots lead up to a nice smile. He has already matured since these pictures were taken last fall, and already looks differently. It seems that people have forgotten about his birthday. A few have remembered. I wish more had, considering that he is hurting big time about his Dad- (but, will deny such). He will kill me if he ever reads this post. He does not want any attention upon himself...... 15 without your Dad, at a time when all young men need their fathers. Such a tough time.

Be blessed.