Author J. Karlawish stood frozen in front of the house door, holding a cold metal key in his hand. With apprehension, he slid it into the lock and turned it. He climbed the stairs lightly, his heart pounding in his ears. The daily ritual involved walking on eggshells. He was never sure what awaited him at home after returning from school. The essay won the Wakley Prize and is published in The Lancet in 1997. It falls under the categories of autobiography, biography and historical article. It deals with the topics of aging, prejudice and the history of geriatrics.