"My heart was closed. Cold. I was self-conscious and cynical. These are the pieces of my youth, the smalls secrets and the not-so-good expectations that defined my coming of age. But through this craft, through my love for writing, I discovered a world outside of the small windowless one I had built for myself. A world of soft spoken beauty. So here I am, choosing to kick away the ladder so that I may remain at your side. I understand your solitude. I see your shadow."