He was an enormous talent, and for him to have been able to offer that to children through the neighborhood all through these years was a great gift,

[I]f we can bring our children understanding, comfort, and hopefulness when they need this kind of support, then they are more likely to grow into adults who can find these resources within themselves later on. (from the introduction)

Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

It has taken years and years and years of applying his talent and his mental desire to just get to the major leagues. And it just shows how fragile it is. You can blow it fairly easily.

You just never know where life is going to take you, you never know where your talent level is going to be and timing is everything.