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The snaggle-toothed grin is soon made it official. holding him at the pier reminding him to wear a life jacket and not drive replaced with a silver one when his He no longer needs my help teeth were lined with braces, until baiting the hook, or fastening a life they, too, are gone and a straight jacket. He doesn't even need me to smile takes its place. drive the boat. The boy we took like casting a line into the water – you fishing just to show him how grown anticipate big things, but there are although it's similar to the others up he was – went and did just that – no guarantees, and you never know – the waters of Neely Henry Lake he grew up. what's going to happen. And, as much The most recent photo, winding behind him, a large fish in Just like the summer days that the boat too fast. I want to tell him that life is a lot as I want him to stay with me where I his hands, the same crooked grin – fade into fall, the days of his youth can watch him and keep him safe, in was surprisingly different. are quickly slipping away. I realize we my heart I know that's not the way it's are both entering uncharted waters. meant to be. That's when it hit me. The boy in the pictures somehow wasn't really a Neither of us completely sure how It's the smile of the boy in the boy anymore. His baby cheeks had to navigate this next phase of life, pictures that reminds me every once seemingly melted from his face and the push and pull, the newfound in a while we all cast a line, and with been replaced by the chiseled features independence and slowly letting go, a little luck, some hard work and of a young man. Although I know we are both learning it's a bittersweet blind faith, we reel in something this process has been taking place for process. He's eager to set sail and see great. I sure did. years, seeing the picture somehow what life holds in store, and I'm still — Theresa Helms Above: Photos provided by Theresa Helms — Cason at ages 4, 10 and 15. Right: Photo by Joe DeScoise — Cason Helms, now 15, fishing on a fall afternoon on Weiss Lake. 8 S hor el i ne s | 2013 Vol:4