But I'll tell you something else, too. Something I've learned, the hard way. I guess"—Gram laughed a little—"I'm the kind of person who has to learn things the hard way. You've got to hold on. Hold on to people. They can get away from you. It's not always going to be fun, but if you don't—hold on—then you lose them.

Kids are really tougher than adults, but we tend to forget this in an affluent society that lets kids indulge themselves.

I love teaching; I love little kids.

All I wanted to do was read, to be told stories. Stories were full of excitement and emotions and characters that entertained and often inspired.

...a really good friend, the kind of friend who - when they were together both of them were more able to be who they really were.

I got to thinking—when it was too late—you have to reach out to people. To your family, too. You can't just let them sit there, you should put your hand out. If they slap it back, well you reach out again if you care enough. If you don't care enough, you forget about them, if you can.

People can be unimaginably foolish...and they can be unimaginably grand, at times.