These stories were motivated and inspired from personal experiences interwoven with fictional characters to highlight specific themes that we all experience, observe, or hear about via anecdotal reports, the media, our peers, etc. "A Man Called Shane" was inspired by experiences in a Eurocentric institution. "The Hillsdale Kids" was inspired by employment in a social agency for children. "The Belle Isle Affair" was inspired by tenure in Ecorse/Detroit, Michigan. "The Grosse Isle Murders" was based on a clinical case report. "The Transplant from Family Therapy Encounters" and "When the Door Came Open" were also from clinical experiences. "The Last Hippie" was from the proliferation of technology and baby boomer transitions. Finally, "Growing Up with Momma" and "The Bird Sings" were inspired by a mother's sacrifice, love, and guidance.