And friends. Despite the sign on his doorplate, my classmate is a genial, talented soul who leaves his door open to welcome visitors. Of the 303 members in my high school graduation class ...

That’s why a certain poem by Michio Mado (1909-2014) really spoke to me then. It starts: “When I start school/ Will I be able to have 100 friends?” What’s school like? Will I do OK?

Oak Ridge resident Sylvia Wood and the speaker Silas Woods are longtime friends. Both are from Kentucky and he's the poet laureate for the state.