Oddum feels a bittersweet sense of pride as she reaches her senior year. It’s an achievement she’s longed for, a milestone representing years of hard work and perseverance. Yet beneath that pride lies a lingering sense of uncertainty. As she enlists in the National Guard, she hopes it will propel her toward her dream of becoming a mortician, a path she believes will provide solace to those grieving. While her classmates eagerly line up for their senior pictures, capturing joyful moments and carefree smiles, Oddum wants to join in. These pictures, meant to celebrate her achievements, also carry a tinge of melancholy—a reminder that life is as much about the dreams we chase as it is about the moments that slip through our fingers.