samson smiles

you learn a lot about a person by photographing them. and this is little brother's turn. he reached for my hand as we walked down the gravel lane to a clearing under some trees. the greens glowed against his dark skin. the afternoon sun glistened in his eyes. as an aspiring photographer, i constantly attempt to capture truth. posed and perfected and staged are not what i shoot for. i yearn for genuine emotion, for what is real. spur of the moment reactions. my desire is to have a reflection of the inside. samson smiles. and there is a childlike joy, appeal for life. he closes his eyes and i watch as a million thoughts race through his mind, he lifts his hands, feels the wind. i watch and wonder what he could be thinking. he laughs at me, ducking in and out of the branches hanging low around us. a simple game of hide and seek among the trees, kindles laughter. a sound that carries far into my heart. a face that was once thousands of miles away in africa, is staring back at me. feet away. i let the memories rush in all at once. years of waiting and praying, seeing this little one for the first time, having him complete our family. i let them pass. and capture a glimpse of his sweet grin. beautiful boy, i love you so much.