In 1981, he started Caldwell Freight with one rented truck.

Over the decades, it became one of the largest logistics companies in the Southeast.

Thousands of trucks.

Dozens of warehouses.

I have no idea exactly how wealthy my father is.

I’ve never asked.

Beyond a certain point, numbers stop meaning much.

I grew up in a large brick house off Peachtree Road.

Ancient oak trees shaded the front yard.

An iron gate stood at the end of the driveway.

My bedroom had a window seat overlooking my mother’s rose garden.

Her name was Celeste.

Before marrying my father, she had been a high school English teacher.

In many ways, she never stopped being one.

She read to me every night until I was twelve.

Corrected my grammar at dinner.

Planted her rose garden herself while the professional gardeners stood nearby wondering what they were supposed to do.

Mom was warmth.