Thirty years ago, I got lost in the wilderness--and found a feeling I've never forgotten.
Category: Formative Memories
Mr. Know-it-All
Twenty years ago, I learned how little I really know--through a chance encounter outside a library with perhaps the smartest man I've ever met.
How I Became a Ladies Man
My mother taught me to treat women with respect and dignity and care. Not because they need some sort of special handling, but because we all do.
If You Can Read This, Thank Ms. Aspinall
This week, I paused to think about the things I have to be thankful for--and remembered a teacher from Annandale High School.
Customer Service: A True Story
The lesson I learned about service from a mysterious, far-away woman.
Failing Forward 500 Meters
The comically true story of my sad debut as a high school swimmer.
The Best Advice My Mom Ever Gave Me
It all has to do with not letting the really big chance pass you by.
How to Greet the World
Here's what I learned from watching my mother sing Christmas carols in a nursing home.
My Original Scar
My first significant injury somehow makes for a fond memory.
Country Roads: A True Fable
Going faster is only better if you know where you're headed and actually want to get there. Twice a year every year of my childhood, we would drive to Parkersburg, West Virginia, to visit my grandmother. In the early years especially, these trips could be pretty horrific. Our family car, a 1970 Chevy Nova, featured …
