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When I was 10, I had a paper route. One year, I delivered my papers through a hurricane. My mother was against the idea, but my dad, who was a sergeant in the Marine Corps, overruled her. I was determined to deliver my papers.

My grandpa was in the Navy, but it wasn't something that was expected or planned for me to do.

My experience of ships is that on them one makes an interesting discovery about the world. One finds one can do without it completely.

My grandparents used to bring me books every time they saw me.

Ships are like children: they need individual attention.

My paternal grandfather was a failed novelist. He stacked boxes of rejected manuscripts in a closet.

It's humbling and enthralling to know your legacy when you're alive.

During my past career as a journalist, I relished writing obits and equally dreaded phoning relatives for the necessary facts. But to my surprise and great relief, they often wanted to talk - they wanted their recently deceased loved ones recorded in print.

The truth is that my grandfather was quite wealthy, a shipbuilder.

Many today feel troubled and distressed; many feel that, at any moment, the ships of their lives could capsize or sink.