people

“Try not to plan out your whole future. If you plan it all, then you might think that it turned out messed up just because it’s not exactly what you planned. Just let it fall into place and everything will go just fine.” - Melissa W.

I actually met a 100-year-old on Youtube. That’s where I found Ben Berke. Ben had his banjo on his lap, and his son, Larry, and grandson, Danny, on either side. And he announced to the camera, we’re gonna do the ‘Johnson Rag’. And as far as me, I hope I make it through this song. I’m going to be 101 very shortly!”

Ben more than made it through the song. He was one of the first 100-year-olds to welcome me into his home. Ben is the kind of no-nonsense guy that puts me at ease because there’s no need to step gingerly around him. He is just happy to be himself and to let you be yourself. Ben is also a genius storyteller. And his tale of incredible change literally transformed what I imagined growing older could be like. He proved that it is never too late for a new beginning.

“If you live long enough, you earn a little common knowledge. It gave me the feeling that you really have a free mind and you can always give yourself a new beginning.” - Ben Berke

Set against the swampy lakes of Central Florida, Southlake Charter in Clermont was the very first school on my travels. I was invited by my longtime friend, Vin, who claimed that Clermont actually has a disproportionately high percentage of 4th and 5th graders with brilliant advice to share. And he was right.

Over the course of one muggy June day, I laughed, joked, and shared stories with over 100 4th and 5th graders who helped set the bar high for this book with their honest and distinct takes on life.

I didn’t realize how excited I was to meet Dorothy until the day before our interview. In the middle of Midtown Manhattan Friday rush hour, I suddenly panicked. I couldn’t show up empty-handed to meet this woman who had literally touched history. So I raced across town to a magic shop, where they knew Dorothy, of course. And only because it was Dorothy, did they send me off with an original set of Harry Houdini’s handcuffs - worth enough to send my son through a semester of college.

As it turns out, I could have just as easily arrived with nothing. Dorothy got a laugh out of the handcuffs but she was more interested in me and in life. She was everything you would expect a Broadway performer and acclaimed artist to be – entertaining, graceful, and totally charming. And she shared a surprising story of how something as simple and controllable as believing in yourself can literally change your life’s course.

“I learned something from the Houdini’s: to have faith in yourself and faith in each other. That’s the secret to everything.” - Dorothy Young

I really wanted What I Know to reflect a patchwork of voices from all over the country. And about halfway through writing the book, I was still missing some wisdom from right in the heart of the country. When my colleague, Amber, mentioned that she had a friend who was teaching in Kentucky, I jumped on the opportunity.

To my total delight, the children of Lexington were a joy to share this project with. They had a special knack for taking simple truths and reshaping them with a new memorable and unique spin.

“To be a true friend, you have to be honest always and people will keep coming back to you like a flock of birds.” - Rex F.