By Don Hall

...that when you lead with your trauma as your defining quality, that’s all people will see.

...that revisiting the magical place you called your city for over half of your life is a solid way to clarify things in a world that no longer makes a bit of sense. Part of that magic comes from friends who are permanent in my life.

...that while the lesson to ’never trust anyone ever again’ is reasonable in some cases it is not pragmatic or useful in any way. If you almost drown in the ocean, the better lesson is ‘learn to swim.’ I’m working on my breaststroke from now on.

...that Chicago is not the most optimistic place on the planet but after six months of feeling none of my stupid, ludicrous optimism in my own sphere, it took Chicago to bring it back.

...that how you tell your story is as important as the story itself.