Recently, I came across an interview the late E. L. Doctorow gave to the New York Times about his Civil War novel "The March."

When it came to discussing his role as a creative-writing professor, he said some of his students would definitely go on to publish their novels, but their books wouldn't amount to much because their stories "do not take on the world."

Well, you have taken on the world in this hauntingly beautiful, and characteristically well-written piece, Ryan. I think I felt your humanity in this more than any of your other stories. And your heart beats loud in all of them. Can't thank you enough for sharing it.