On the one hand I've had such a normal upbringing with my mum who has kept me grounded but on the other the wild experiences through my dad.

My dad served in the Air Force as ground crew for several years and doesn't really talk about it. I know that it's there. I think my main thing about direct or indirect experiences as near to home as it were is the idea of self-sacrifice really.

I finished high school moved to Nashville for college and set out to break into the music business. Every night when I called home with news of my experiences my mom and dad would encourage me to keep taking those small steps.

Our last jam session was this past Christmas. Dad played his harmonica mom sang in English and Italian and I played guitar. I'm so happy that we could share that musical experience for one last time.

My dad's gay experiences really had a very positive influence on me and my straight relationships - how to better accept all the weirdness and ambiguity and ups and downs and paradoxes. I knew from the beginning I was writing about love.

We all have experiences in our lives that change us and we all learn from people like my dad but at the end of the day it's only us. And we're only responsible to make ourselves happy.

Going to the theater is such a joyous experience. My dad would take my sister and me to plays when we were very young like six or seven years old.

To show the world what long experience gains requires not courage though it calls for pains but at life's outset to inform mankind is a bold effort of a valiant mind.

A statesman wants courage and a statesman wants vision but believe me after six months' experience he wants first second third and all the time - patience.

Values are principles and ideas that bring meaning to the seemingly mundane experience of life. A meaningful life that ultimately brings happiness and pride requires you to respond to temptations as well as challenges with honor dignity and courage.