My best teachers were mess, failure, death, mistakes, and the people I hated, including myself.

They always threw their arms around and hugged me while crying our Yiddish endearments. Yet none of them believed in God. They believed in social justice, good works, Israel, and Bette Midler. I was nearly thirty before I met a religious Jew.

It was simple reality - most competitive tennis players in my day were privileged, spoiled, entitled and white. Also, many of them were beautiful, fit, tan and of good stock - great big hair and white teeth and long legs. Then there were the rest of us.

A big heart is both a clunky and a delicate thing; it doesn't protect itself and it doesn't hide. It stands out, like a baby's fontanel, where you can see the soul pulse through.

I get thirsty people glasses of water, even if that thirsty person is just me.

When we search for something larger than our own selves to hook into, we can come through whatever life throws at us.

My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I’m grateful for it the way I’m grateful for the ocean.