As I entered this world, I would leave behind the nurturing of my family and my home, but in another sense I would take their protection with me. The lessons I had learned, the feelings of groundedness and belonging that have been woven into my character there, would be my companions on the journey.

I"ve learned that I must find positive outlets for anger or it will destroy me.

But I always had the ability to say no. That's how I called my own shots.

I don't very often read novels.

I think the way I want to think. I live the way I want to live.

I set my star so high that I would constantly be in motion toward it.

Of all my father's teachings, the most enduring was the one about the true measure of a man. That true measure was how well he provided for his children, and it stuck with me as if it were etched in my brain.