The story it told was unremarkable: a tale of love found and lost- the oldest story in the world. The only story.

They sang the words in unison, yet somehow created a web of sounds with their voices. It was like hearing a piece of fabric woven with all the colors of a rainbow. I did not know that such beauty could be formed by the human mouth. I had never heard harmony before.

I tell writers to keep reading, reading, reading. Read widely and deeply. And I tell them not to give up even after getting rejection letters. And only write what you love.

The other reason women wanted daughters was to keep their memories alive.

Of all life's pleasures, only love owes no debt to death.

I would have stayed forever within the garden of Re-mose's childhood, but time is a mother's enemy.

If you want to understand any woman you must first ask about her mother and then listen carefully. Stories about food show a strong connection. Wistful silences demonstrate unfinished business. The more a daughter knows about the details of her mother's life - without flinching or whining - the stronger the daughter.