My friend Alan as a young boy, standing on his uncle's shoulders in Brazil, ready to leap into his future, with many cousins in the background. ____________ When I ask people to describe a cherished childhood place, their answers are often poignant and vivid. The homes of beloved grandparents and natural settings such as woods and creeks pop up as common themes. All memories of childhood places can be turned into stories. One response, from my friend Alan, instantly immersed