This was a totally unexpected and impromptu picture moment. We just brought in the New Year 2014. Dad had taken a turn for the worst at this point... enough so that I missed Morgan's 10th birthday in Texas to come rejoin him in Knoxville. But hey it was the New Year. So we watched the various New Year celebrations and ushered in 2014 together. It was actually my first time celebrating with him since he and my mom separated when I was 5 years old. So that's 35 years. Plus, it was also with Najee, a definite first. So I said hey let's take a selfie - a word I thought I'd never actually use! One shot... one perfect and timeless shot.

I met Raphael Sr. at the wedding of my daughter Dnika and his son Raphael Jr more than a decade ago.  It was Sr's. job to escort me down the aisle since my husband's job was to escort the bride.

As mother of the bride, I was delighted that this was The Day.  Once we formed the processional, I was so nervous and excited, I just couldn't stop talking.  I chattered away to him from the moment we formed the line until we all sat down and the wedding began. In the midst of that steady stream of words, I blurted out, "I can't seem to stop talking; I think I'm more nervous than I had thought I would be."  He just smiled a big smile and nodded his head. That was just the right encouragement I needed to let me know he understood, so I just kept on talking.  I will always remember the warm, kind look on his face as he nonverbally acknowledged my need to talk and his willingness to listen.