In 2001, the author of this book suffered a stroke that left him partially handicapped. It became necessary to do what he could to learn to live with the aftereffects and limitations of the stroke. This book is the result of advice from his doctor to write down some of his earlier memories to see if he had suffered any long-term memory loss. In the writing of these memories, he gradually became confident enough to keep on writing until he had enough stories to put together in a book. The writing of the stories has given him back his past, and now he has a base to build his new life on. For him, it has been like opening a new door, and now, rather than be held hostage by the restriction imposed by the stroke, he can confidently build on that past and plan ahead.