Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents.

Nothing seemed impossible in the beginning.

A time will come when you will find that in gaining a brief joy you have lost your peace forever.

I think we are all hopelessly flawed.

... for it is the small temptations which undermine integrity unless we watch and pray and never think them too trivial to be resisted.

Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life, and cheerfully wait for death. Like a confiding child, she asked no questions, but left everything to God and nature, Father and Mother of us all, feeling sure that they, and they only, could teach and strengthen heart and spirit for this life and the life to come.

There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.