By Scott Shephard

A young life has many milestones. Birth is the big one, of course, and happens to be one that we generally observe and celebrate throughout life. The first birthday is really big, but I would say it’s bigger for the family than it is for the celebrant given that they likely don’t have much of a clue of what a year is. Also, they probably haven’t pondered the meaning of life and what the passing of time means - as I have.

The first day of school is another important event. You might even have memories of it. I have a vague recollection of my mother dropping me off in what seemed like a huge room with many other children. As my mom walked away, I experienced mild fear and a sense of separation - maybe even of betrayal. The good thing was that it turned out that Mrs. Clark, my first teacher, was almost as good as Mom.

Certainly, in the life of a Catholic Christian First Communion is an important day. The family gathers and the celebrants put on special clothing. Here Ibby (aka Irene Bernice) wears the same gown worn by one of her aunts decades before. It is beautiful. And so is Ibby.

I have mentioned that Ibby rarely allows me to photograph her. But on this day, she was more than willing, though I think that at this precise moment in her young life she was oblivious to me and all who were watching. Before her stood the priest, the wine and the wafer - and an important moment is a young Christian’s life.

Canon R5 f/2.8 ISO 3200 1/250 sec