The book according to LUKE...

January 11, 2010.

A day that any athlete dreams of.

Being SO in the zone... that you can do nothing wrong.

Very few get to live out that dream... but I was there to watch Monday's senior do just that.

Luke Wilson and his East Marshall Mustangs were playing South Hardin in North Iowa Cedar League hoop action and the EM sharp shooter found his stroke.... and never lost it.

Nine three pointers later, Wilson had himself a school record that will be tough to ever top. I played four sports myself for the same school that Luke calls home... but I can't say I was ever locked in like that.

All that being said... Monday morning's session felt like I got in that type of zone... only on a different playing field.

I've never claimed to be the world's best photographer. I was in the right place at the right time when a photographer was ready to retire, and took advantage of an opportunity that was presented to me. I certainly was no photographer early on... but I was willing to work at it... be nice to people... and always use the golden rule... treat people like I would like to be treated.

Never was that more apparent than Monday, when one of my East Marshall brethren, trusted me to make sure that HIS pictures would be unique.

Like most of the EM kids... I've watched them grow up from toddlers to teens... to adults ready to give back to the community or to the world elsewhere. I did it myself... and I love nothing more than watching it happen over and over again.

We've got ourselves a gem in Mr. Wilson here as he excels in many areas. However, nothing makes me more proud than to see his willingness to wear his faith on his sleeve. After all the 3-pointers have stopped going in... all the center snaps have ceased... and all the grounders to second base have been silenced... we all have to look inward to ourselves, and outwardly to something to wonder why we are here in the first place.

Luke knows why he's here. And in my humble opinion, his heart is in the right place. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to do his senior session... and in the end... it was just another gift from above. Am I logging insane hours and a grueling schedule right now to keep up with owning a ma and pa business? Sure. But days like Monday make it all worth it.

Thanks, Wilson Family. You know how I feel. I could go on and on about the day and each image below... but I hope the images themselves tell you my appreciation.