What I know now about life is this: your mother is a part of everything you do and everything you are.

That was the one thing she knew now. Some chances came and went, and if you missed them, you could spend the rest of your life standing alone, waiting for an opportunity that had already passed you by.

Of course you can fall in love. You just have to let yourself. They don't call it falling for nothing. -Kate

Do you love him?" How would I know?" You'd know.

I have often wished in the past few years that my mom were here to help me as I raised my own teenage son. As a girl, with my own mom, I thought I knew it all; now I know better. Somewhere, I know my mom is smiling.

It occurred to her suddenly, sharply, that she wanted to be in love... She wanted not to feel so damned alone in the world.

I am such a Pacific Northwest girl.