It's not easy being related to a photographer. I don't mean to frustrate my family, but I see photo opportunities everywhere. Imagine going to an amusement park with three excited young boys. They're eager to get to the rides, but Dad is trying to set up a family photo at the front gate. And if we're visiting a pumpkin patch, I'm probably laying prone on the ground, angling for the perfect shot, when they're wanting to get on the hayride. My boys decided at a young age that if you can't beat 'em - join 'em. Nick, now 11, has been shooting since he was four.  Sam (9) was not far behind. Nathan (7) recently got his own digital camera.  So, with the deadline for the PTA Reflections Art Contest coming up at the end of October, all three boys wanted to take their cameras to the State Fair in search of "Beauty"... the theme for this year's competition. Every few steps one of us would stop to shoot a ride or exhibit. From swans to monster trucks, four Alvey photographers were scanning the Fair for the perfect shot. At the Birds of the World show, I captured a moment when all three were shooting the same scene at virtually the same time and place. It was fascinating to see how each interpreted the same moment from their own unique perspective. So, which one got the "best" shot? I'll leave that to others to judge. I'm just thrilled that I have cohorts in crime. My poor wife Carolyn probably has a very different perspective. Results at http://neighborsgo.com/stories/44441

Never forget how you felt when it dawned on you we were under attack. They weren't attacking liberals or conservatives. They weren't trying to destroy Republicans or Democrats. They attacked US...Americans. The UNITED States of America. And, in the days and weeks that followed, we were united. One nation under God. No one had a problem with that then, did they? Because we were all looking to a higher power to make sense out of the senseless. At least for one day, we should put aside partisan politics and remember what it is that makes us the greatest nation on earth. God bless America

Goodbye, summer 2009. Hello, 2009-10 school year! While my kids would never admit it, I suspect they have longed for this day as much as I, especially the past several weeks when the dog days of summer have digressed into whimpers and whines. 

We shopped all weekend in our attempt to single-handedly stimulate the economy. We laid out everyone's carefully selected "first day" outfits the night before. Forms were filled out in triplicate. Lunches were pre-planned so the first morning would be a smooth transition for all of us. And, surprisingly, it was.

Everyone got up on time and had a relaxing breakfast with plenty of time to brush teeth, get dressed and pose for Dad's obligatory "first day" photo op.

I dropped Nick off at the bus stop for his first experience riding the school bus to middle school. Then, I followed (not too closely) as my other two brave, independent boys walked into Miller Elementary. Sam, 9, pretended not to know me. Nathan, 6, boldly walked several steps ahead, confident he knew exactly where he was going.

After getting Nathan settled, I turned to leave the first grade hall and there he was: a terrified little boy crying silently, eyes wide and his lower lip trembling. I'm sure he assured his parents that he knew exactly where he was going, too. But things must have looked very differently to him this morning, and he was frozen in his tracks. I directed him to a teacher who quickly put him at ease and ushered him to his classroom.

Now all of my boys are safely and securely back at school and I can relax with a second cup of coffee as I ponder what new and exciting adventures await us this year. Don't tell my boys, but I'm already looking forward to dinner when I can hear all about their first day experiences.

No disrespect to any of the celebrities who recently passed, but they did not impact my life nearly as much as one courageous eight-year-old boy. I will never forget where I was when I heard Connor had gone home to be with Jesus.

My first reaction was, “Praise the Lord!” Connor is free! Free of cancer. Free of pain and horrendous treatments and boring hospitals. Most importantly, Connor was free of the earthly bonds that shackle us and weigh so heavy upon us. Free of limitations. Free of mortality. Free to soar on wings like eagles. Free at last, praise God, almighty; free at last!

Then a great wave of sadness washed over me. Not sadness for Connor. But sadness for our loss. Not just his immediate family and friends. But the whole mortal world! For those of you who never had the opportunity to meet Connor, it is impossible for me to convey what an incredible person he was. Sure, you’ve head stories of his courage, and his family’s immoveable faith. But I can’t begin to capture his indomitable spirit.

The last time I saw Connor was June 7 when I went to videotape a Q&A for the TeamConnor fundraiser at III Forks steakhouse. Connor had been scheduled to appear at the June 8 fundraiser to be interviewed by WFAA-TV weatherman Pete Delkus. But Connor had to be hospitalized just days before the event. In fact, he had just come home from the hospital minutes before I interviewed him. Even though he felt miserable, Connor was game because he knew how important it was to the fight against pediatric cancer. Connor understood more than most of us hope to ever have to comprehend. When I asked him what he would say to other kids fighting cancer, he said, “have courage and believe in Jesus.”

Connor endured over 220 nights in the hospital, more than 40 blood transfusions, about 2-dozen platelet transfusions, 25 rounds of chemo, 14 surgeries, two bone marrow transplants and countless procedures with visits to specialists in Boston, New York, Houston, Dallas and Guatemala. Yet he didn’t complain. He was a fighter to the very end. When he checked into Children’s Medical Center about 10 p.m. July 9, doctors said he had about two hours to live. Connor took his last mortal breath at 4:47 p.m. July 10, 2009.

Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 14 at Prestonwood Baptist Church, Park & Midway in Plano. Wouldn’t it be a great testament to Connor’s spirit to have as many people lined up outside his service as there were at the other celebrities’ services? 

Connor Cruse (8) of Frisco has been battling cancer for the past 4 years. But he has about run out of options. He left June 8 for a second round of an experimental treatment in Guatemala.

I visited Connor Sunday, June 7, after he came home from a 2-day stay at Presby Plano hospital. Ever the warrior, Connor still managed a few smiles even though it was evident he was in a lot of pain and very weary. 

When I asked him if there was anything he would tell other kids battling cancer, he said, "Be brave, and believe in Jesus."

Here’s the latest message from Joy Cruse, Connor’s mom, before she and Connor left today for Guatemala:

(06-07-09 Sunday afternoon) We just got home from the hospital. Connor is resting comfortably and he's going to see the movie "Up" tonight. He's been waiting to see it for awhile and we promised him he could see it while we're here.

The albumin level didn't come up very much. I guess the cancer is just eating it up like candy. The lasiks did help him urinate some, but not as much as expected. His abdomen didn't come down much. We did a sonogram to see if they could drain the liquid with a needle and it showed that most of the liquid is gone now. His extended abdomen is pretty much all tumor now. Heading back to Guatemala on Monday to see if we can get this thing to shrink. PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR A RED SEA MIRACLE. Thanks for your prayers.

http://www.connorcruse.com/

Please take a few minutes to watch the video at  http://www.theheights.org/files/email-theft2.htm

Please circulate with friends and family in the area to help catch this thief. 

The Heights Baptist Church on Renner Road at US-75 was victimized during the Dave Ramsey Broadcast Thursday, April 23. At approximately 6:45pm the individual pictured below drove his red Dodge pickup truck onto the church campus and parked by the church offices. He entered the building at the courtyard entrance. He entered the administrative offices and stole an Apple laptop computer. He then immediately left with the laptop under his arm. If you know this person or happen to see him in the pickup, please get the license number and contact Ricahrdson Police or Bill Ferrell - Administrative Pastor at bferrell@theheights.org