Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls...are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.
James PattersonSundown had bloodied the horizon over the uneven rooftops of South Boston. Birds were perched on every roof and seemed to be watching the girl walking slowly below. - Cradle and All
James PattersonThe funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective.
James PattersonAnd Max, I've put some scraps in a bowl for your dog," Mom said. "It's on the floor, by the back door." The flock and I went still. Uh-oh, I thought. Total stomped up to me, his glare accusing. "A bowl on the floor!" he seethed. "Why don't you just chain me to a stake in the yard and throw me a bone!
James PattersonI couldnโt leave Total behind.โ โTotal?โ Iggy asked. โThatโs what his card said,โ Angel explained. โTotally a mutant dog who will probably turn on us and kill us in our sleep,โ Fang said.
James PattersonOkay, so, flying,โ I started, taking a deep breath and focusing on the thing I loved most in the world. โFlying is โฆ great. It feels great when youโre doing it. Itโs fun. Pure freedom. Thereโs nothing better.โ Dylan smiled, a slow, easy smile that seemed to light up his whole face. โSo the first thing weโre going to do,โ I told him, โis push you off the roof.
James Patterson