Cole Bradley finds something unexpected on the National Mall. TW: Loss of parent.

Memphis, TN. Silversmith Tootsie Bell on the son she never expected to have.

Writer Jackie Hedeman became pen pals with her favorite childhood author, Joan Aiken (The Wolves of Willoughby Chase). But Joan left one question unanswered in her letters.

Tauneel Mian's earliest memories take on new color when she has tea with a close friend's father. TW: civil unrest, war.

It began as all good things do: with online dating. Johnnie Meier, curator of the Classical Gas Museum, on unexpected fatherhood. TW: terminal illness, cancer.

Interesting people answer one question: tell me about a time you experienced great goodness. Music is Lullaby For Democracy by Doctor Turtle. The song is licensed under an Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which requires me to tell you that I modified the song.