Author Archive

Homebound Letter 13 – May 5, 2020   Dear Teacher:   When I was in high school, a teacher changed the trajectory of my life – though I was unable to see it that way at the time. It happened at the end of my 11th grade year. I was a basketball player. A

Homebound Letter 12 – April 22, 2020   Dear Stuck-at-Home Students:   Reality is now setting in for almost all of us. No more in-person school for the rest of the year. You’re going to attempt to finish the school year from home. From the kitchen table or your bedroom desk or the couch

Homebound Letter 11 – April 17, 2020   Dear Stuck-at-Home Students:   When I was young, I used to think I lived the most ordinary life in the history of ordinary lives. Whenever I encountered an interesting character in a book or movie I’d feel so dull. I’d think, Man, nobody would EVER make

Homebound Letter 10 – April 14, 2020   Dear Stuck-at-Home Luna:   Happy birthday!!! I can’t believe you’re six years old! Seems like just yesterday your mom and I were bringing you home from the hospital, to your Popo’s basement apartment in Brooklyn, where we were living at the time. I remember showing you

Homebound Letter 9 – April 10, 2020   Dear Dads of Stuck-at-Home Students:   A few weeks before the world changed, I spoke at a community event in Linn, Oregon. The woman in charge of the event was very smart and very ambitious. She knew that families on the working class side of Linn

Homebound Letter 8 – April 7, 2020   Dear Writers (and anyone willing to listen):   When it comes to books, I’ve never been a big believer in happy endings. But I do believe in hopeful endings. This distinction has guided every story I’ve ever told. And every talk I’ve ever given. And every

Homebound Letter 7 – March 30, 2020   Dear Stuck-at-Home Student:   I’ve been thinking a lot about wishes.   Every afternoon my family and I take one long walk through our neighborhood for exercise. My almost-two-year-old son is in the stroller, usually eating blueberries. My almost-six-year-old daughter is on the buddy board that

Homebound Letter 6 – March 27, 2020   Dear Stuck-at-Home Students:   Did you know I wrote to your parents on Wednesday? The past couple weeks have been a big challenge for so many people out there. Including me. So I asked for a little advice. And wow! I was amazed by all the

Homebound Letter 5 – March 25, 2020   Dear Parents and Caregivers of Stuck-at-Home Students:   This letter is a little different. Instead of writing to students today, I’m writing to parents. Many of you are exhausted. Just like my wife and I are exhausted. When we put our two children down at the