As I stand holding a stick in my hand, I am reminded of the quiet, enduring role canes have played throughout my life. Long before metal was forged or stone was knapped into refined tools, the humble branch was our species’ very first technology. For me, however, the stick was first an instrument of schoolyard discipline and fear. Yet, it is not just the haunting memories of youth that make me reach for a stick today. It stands as a quiet testament to the discipline of my youth, the warmth of old friendships, the physical resilience regained after illness, and the enduring balance of a life well-lived.