It's these parallel universes when someone you love is sick. Your world is this completely foreign place involving radiation and tumor markers. Outside, people are buying sweaters.

I realized that whatever your path, whatever your calling, the most damaging thing you can do is let other voices define you and drown out your own. You've got to block them out and find that place deep inside you, shaken but still intact, and hold on to it.

My daughters depend on me for a lot more than food, clothing and shelter. They depend on me as an example of how to go on.

I think it's dangerous if your goal in life is to get the other guy, then you're not going to be doing a really quality job yourself

It's fine to be on the hamster wheel, running and running, trying to grab the brass ring or whatever you define as success, but your relationships, that's really all that matters when it's all said and done.

Oftentimes Westerners don't really understand fully the values of this particular culture. And I think the jury is still out as to whether democracy can really thrive in Iraq.

I don't know the vast majority of you personally and it may sound kind of corny, but I really feel as if we've become friends through the years. And you've been with me during a lot of good times. And some very difficult ones... I can't tell you how grateful I am...