The original manuscript was titled, "Please, Leave My Child Behind," a not so subtle hint at the author's point of view. Upon reflection I decided to change the title to "Lead on Softly," a perhaps more gentle and gracious heading. The phrase comes from the story of Jacob's meeting with his brother Esau after many years of separation. Having reconciled, Esau offers to leave his 40 warriors to act as drovers and hasten Jacob's journey home. Jacob with his flocks and herds and family and servants did not accept the offer realizing that these men had no heart for the care of his possessions or his people. I like to think that he thought to himself, "My God they will stampede everyone and everything into total oblivion!" Yet maintaining grace he declined the offer saying that he would lead them on softly himself so that even the very least of them might be saved. I hope that this book reflects that character, that graciousness, that eye towards understanding and bearing weakness while allowing it time to develop so that the individual might flourish. It seems like such a worthwile and hopeful approach. The book relies, as did my teaching, on two qualities largely missing in society today: gentleness and reflection. They certainly are not condusive to building a world power or to displaying a world dominating intention towards educating our young. I do think that possibly they are key in developing self-directed learning, a holistic approach to life and learning, an organic appreciation and value of humanity and thus an inner joy and appreciation for life as an evolving creation. The essays are part of my evolution as a thinker, the poems are part of the evolution of my soul, and the narratives are a part of my evolution as an admirer of human dignity. In the end, if there is any worth in this text it will be up to the reader to decide, but it has been an astoundingly meaningful experience for me regardless.