Smiles Aren't Automatic

Christina and I show the photographs so we do not meet the kids, parents, or staff, until we arrive with the photos - usually a week to ten days after Jack and Adrienne or Niki took them. Last spring we drove to The General's Kids, a center in Burnside, Kentucky.  As usually happens, we went through all the portfolios with the director (in this case the assistant director) and as many of the staff as can get away from their classes for a few minutes. Everyone loved all the pictures - they always do - but the one that got the most attention was the one on the right.  No one could believe that Jack and Adrienne had got him to smile - well, as you can see, more than smile, he out right laughed for us. We told Jack and Adrienne about the reaction and they weren't surprised - Adrienne said, "He was tough, but once we got him started we couldn't stop him, and it was worth the effort. There is nothing like seeing a happy child and it's our goal to make sure that always happens if there is any possible way.  It takes work, but it's worth it.