Gary SmithThe Arts were always close to my heart. I received my first photographic camera from an Uncle when I was eight years old. In 1981 I walked into a Photograph Gallery with the portfolio of my pictures and was given my first one-man show. One of the higlights of that career was receiving a signed letter from Ansel Adams, excepting me to attend his 1983 workshop in Carmel, California. Ruth Bernhard, Lucien Clergue, Cole Westin, Jerry Uelsmann were some of the instructors.Writing came later. In 1994 I was asked to participate in the Connections Leadership Project for the State of California. I was asked to serve on an advisory committee to the editor of a book to help high school students deal with prejudices. Halfway through the three-year project, the editor asked if I would consider writing and submitting something for the book. I submitted three, and to my surprise, all three were published in the book titled: Options, making Connections in today's World. Published in 1997.At the end of the project, the committee had a final meeting to celebrate the end of the project. Everyone connected with the project was there, and it was a large crowd. At the end of the Luncheon, the editor rose at the head table to address the group. He said as the last order of business, he wanted to leave us with one final thought from one of the articles in the book. He began to read my article on the death of my son. Immediately I recognized my words and become very uncomfortable as the crowd started to look around. At the end of the reading, he introduced me and said, "thank you," ending the conference.I quickly gathered my belongings and headed for the door. As I started out, I heard someone calling my name. I turned, and a middle-aged gentleman was making his way through the crowd heading towards me. He approached me and stood there for a second, searching for words. Then he said to me. "I couldn't let you leave without saying," he paused for a moment, composing himself. Then continued. I, too, have had a devastating loss recently. However, your words have given me a new perspective. You changed my life." He then reached for my hand and shook it, turned, and left, disappearing into the crowd.That was the moment I understood why people write and why I write. Read More Read Less