I am a PK, a Parks Kids. My father worked for Parks Canada in Jasper and Waterton Lakes in Alberta, and Kluane in the Yukon. I began making up stories early, telling them to my American cousins and friends. In Grade 6, I wrote a short story about a Sasquatch whose family had been killed by Park Wardens. The grief-stricken beast went on a killing rampage, dispatching several park wardens by ripping their heads off before it was finally killed.
My teacher loved the story so much that he had me read it to the class. I was a kid who stuttered, especially if I had to speak in front of a group. However, I was very excited about sharing my story and managed to read it, keeping my eyes focused on the page. Near the end of the reading, I became aware that someone was crying. Finishing, I looked up and saw that one of the girls had tears streaming down her face. My story frightened her.
This was a profound moment for me, one I have never forgotten. I realized then that written words could move people, even to tears.
That moment launched me on a lifelong journey of enjoying my imagination.
It's been a blast.
Oh, I'm also a husband, a father of four, a grandfather of six, a political cartoonist, an arts feature writer, a communications guru at my local library, and a lover of all things good and true.
My teacher loved the story so much that he had me read it to the class. I was a kid who stuttered, especially if I had to speak in front of a group. However, I was very excited about sharing my story and managed to read it, keeping my eyes focused on the page. Near the end of the reading, I became aware that someone was crying. Finishing, I looked up and saw that one of the girls had tears streaming down her face. My story frightened her.
This was a profound moment for me, one I have never forgotten. I realized then that written words could move people, even to tears.
That moment launched me on a lifelong journey of enjoying my imagination.
It's been a blast.
Oh, I'm also a husband, a father of four, a grandfather of six, a political cartoonist, an arts feature writer, a communications guru at my local library, and a lover of all things good and true.
