After 'The Poisonwood Bible' was published, several people believed that my parents were missionaries, which could not be further from the truth.

Our childhood had passed over into history overnight. The transition was unnoticed by anyone but ourselves.

Perhaps growing up meant we put our knives away and feigned ignorance of the damage.

Why is it that only girls stand on the sides of their feet? As if they're afraid to plant themselves?

Be still, and the world is bound to turn herself inside out to entertain you. Everywhere you look, joyful noise is clanging to drown out quiet desperation.

That was when we smelled the rain. It was so strong it seemed like more than just a smell. When we stretched out our hands we could practically feel it rising up from the ground. I don’t know how a person could ever describe that scent.

I used to think religion was just more of the same thing. Dump responsibility on the big guy. Now I see an importance in that. It's a relief to accept that not everything is under your control.