Beginning BEGINNING
One bright August morning my wife, Keri, called me at my office. She wasn’t happy.

“Did you write a blog about our marriage?”

From the tone of her voice, I could guess I was in trouble. “Yes. Why are you asking?”

“They were just talking about it on the local news. You need to take it down.”

At that very moment I was in the middle of corresponding with a woman at the Huffington Post who was asking for permission to translate my offending blog worldwide into a half dozen languages.

“Why would you want me to take it down?”

“I don’t like it. You didn’t even ask me if you could share it.”

“You’ve heard me share this in public before,” I said. “You were in the front row sitting next to the governor’s wife when I shared it with more than a thousand people at the Governor’s Marriage Conference. You said you liked it.”

“This is different.”

“Why is this different?”

“You wrote it.”

“Why is that different?”

“Because it’s written,” she said.

Hmm. “I don’t understand why you’re upset. Was any of it not true?”

“That’s the problem. It’s all true.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no idea you didn’t like it. And I thought it would help others with their marriages.”

“I’m sure it will,” she said. “But it’s our life. Our life is none of the world’s business.” Then she said something that gave me pause. “You’re too honest. You share too much.”

I considered her words for a moment, then said, “I think the world needs more honesty. People respond to my writing because it’s true. If I can’t write honestly, I’d have to stop writing. And I can’t do that. It’s who I am. I believe it’s my calling.”

She thought for a moment before her voice softened. “Fair enough.” Then she playfully added, “But if you ever make money off this one, I get it.”

The offending blog post, “How I Saved My Marriage,” went on to have more than a hundred million readers. Marriage counselors across America told me they’ve made it required reading for their clients. One of Keri’s close friends even called to tell her that the article saved her daughter’s marriage.

I’m often asked where the ideas for my books come from. “Life, mostly,” I reply. This book is a compilation of my life as an author, husband, and father—my thoughts and musings over the last half century. Collecting these essays helped me realize just how remarkable my journey has been—an unlikely one for a poor kid from a large family from Utah.

There were some difficult times growing up. Even a few horrific ones, as you’ll read. I still hold pain but not resentment. I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for those experiences.

Some of what I share is spiritual. I’m not apologizing for this; I’m just forewarning you. These are my experiences and my perception of them. Take or dismiss them as you will.

As most of these stories involve others, I have, in a few instances, changed names and details to protect others’ privacy. Keri may be right. Maybe I do share too much. But, then again, maybe if we all were a little more vulnerable the world would be a better place in which to live.