Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.

In these pages, and in my memories, she reminds me that a short life can also be a good and rich life, that it is possible to live with depression without being consumed by it, and that meaning in life is found together, in family and friendship that transcends and survives all manner of suffering. As the poet wrote in the Bible's Song of Solomon, 'Love is strong as death.' Or perhaps even stronger.

Walt Whitman is HOT! I mean, that guy could sound his barbaric yawps over the roofs of my world any time.

A taste so profound and complex that it can't even be compared to other tastes, only to emotions. Cheesy waffles, I was thinking, tastes like love without the fear of love's dissolution.

Ashes to ashes. Garage sale to garage sale,” I said.

You realize that trying to keep your distance from me will not lessen my affection for you. All efforts to save me from you will fail.

My responsibility is to try to tell true stories. To me a true story is always hopeful, but never simply, uncomplicatedly happy.