A constant source of support and advice, my father realized early on that Microsoft was turning into a serious business. My mom’s understanding came more gradually. For a long time, she held a belief that eventually things would settle down and I would get my Harvard degree.
I have a recurring dream that even now can jolt me out of bed. The dream gets right to the point: panic. I’m at Harvard, it’s late in the semester, and I still haven’t figured out where my class is meeting. I haven’t figured out the textbook I need. I’m wandering around looking for the lecture hall or the final exam room. And I feel dread: I’ve run out of time, and I’ll never get my act together. I put off studying too long. I will fail.