Paul Newman and a Ride Home

When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.

When I first read these words in S.E. Hinton’s classic The Outsiders back in seventh grade, I knew very little about Paul Newman. I mean, I knew he was a movie star and recalled something about salad dressing, but that was about it. Yet for some reason, this quote stayed with me for many years. Sure, it’s the opening sentence to a quintessential coming of age story for many teenagers, but I now think the words of Ponyboy Curtis endured because of something else. I believe the universe was foreshadowing journey and pointing my heart toward an experience that would change my life forever.

Continue Reading

For the Body and the Soul

You can imagine the reaction from my parents when I told them I was changing my major from international relations to an interdisciplinary humanities study called modern thought and literature. “How is that going to possibly help you in your career?”  I recall they used more flowery language than that.  Well, as I pen my first blog, I can say with peaceful contentment that it has helped me in my career – more specifically it has offered me a lens that guides me as I share The Hole in the Wall Gang’ Camp’s story, assess our effectiveness and imagine new services consistent with our mission. 

Continue Reading