A lifetime of adventure and learning

I remember the day clearly. I was in a local department store in the toy section, and the entire back row was covered with red and blue boxes declaring their contents as Dungeons & Dragons. They were $7 each, and I had no money. But, I had some coming!

I'd entered a model Ferrari into a modeling contest at the store and I'd won third place which included a trophy and a $10 gift certificate for the store. I picked up my winnings and headed with purpose to the back row. I was startled to find almost all of the boxes was gone already, but I did get a red box Basic Edition!

On the way home in the car, I stared fondly at the box and reveled in the adventures that awaited me. When we got home, I tore into the box and thumbed through the many booklets inside and ogled the oddly shaped dice within (not to mention scratched my head a few times as to the purpose of the crayon!)

That day I consider a defining moment in my life because unlike any previous toy I'd ever purchased, this one opened up a world of possibilities. My imagination and creativity were reignited as I learned how to create my own adventures to play with my friends. I read fantasy novels voraciously in my quest to expand my games. As we played more and more, we started looking at different genres and started playing some of the sci fi games.

But, beyond simply reacquainting me with my passion for reading, D&D lead to a lifetime of other discoveries. I learned history, primarily the Middle Ages, in order to more accurately reflect the world in our adventures. I studied sciences to expand the sci fi games. Switching to AD&D, I discovered one of my favorite authors, H.P. Lovecraft, who still haunts my every day. I also wrote a lot...and wrote, and wrote and wrote and wrote! Actually, I haven't really stopped yet!

I'm so excited to learn that Dungeons & Dragons is up for the Hall of Fame this year. Most toys are fun for a while, and evoke such fond memories in us later. D&D, however, is unique in that it can have a long term effect on a person that permeates their whole lives.

My life would have been so dull were it not for that little red box.