growing up
— A young woman preparing for her wedding remembers her father's death when she was eight and realizes she must let go without forgetting as she asks her mother to walk...
— A child kneels by the Mississippi River, praying and remembering walks with her mother, feeling freedom in the water's flow and memories on its surface.
— A girl befriends a blind harmonica player outside a store, giving him her candy money daily until one day he vanishes, leaving her changed.
— A reluctant teenager dragged to a Ghanaian village for Christmas discovers friendship and joy through a local tradition of chasing chickens.
— During a summer visit to China, a girl who hates bugs learns from her butterfly-loving aunt to see the beauty and purpose in all living things.
— A girl who hates bugs learns to care for butterflies with her aunt in China, discovering that all life has meaning and purpose.
— A basketball player reflects on how the game remains constant from third grade through high school, despite physical changes and growing skill.
— An eight-year-old boy faces his fear when his father dares him to go outside during Hurricane Matthew, discovering both the storm's power and his father's protective nature.
— When her best friend announces she's moving to Korea in two days, a girl's anger gives way to understanding that true friendship can survive any distance.
— A child traces identity from birth through curiosity and danger to the sadness of moving away, wondering if they'll return to have fun again.