Then he left her there, standing alone, surrounded by word ghosts; things she could have said.

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.

When you're a mom, you learn about fear. You're always afraid. Always. About everything from cupboard doors to kidnappers to weather.

Sometimes holding on was all you could do.

A daughter without her mother is a woman broken. It is a loss that turns to arthritis and settles deep into her bones.

To make real friends you have to put yourself out there. Sometimes people will let you down, but you can't let that stop you. If you get hurt, you just pick yourself up, dust off your feelings, and try again.

Then he left her there, standing alone, surrounded by word ghosts; things she could have said.