I do not believe that true optimism can come about except through tragedy.

You're going to get hurt yourself, and badly, if you take everything so hard.

You cannot take credit for your talents. It is what you do with them that counts.

God promised to make you free. He never promised to make you independent.

When we lose our myths we lose our place in the universe.

Severe illness isolates those in close contact with it, because it inevitably narrows the focus of concern. To a certain extent this can lead to healing, but not if the circle of concern is so tight that it cannot be broken into, or out of.

But grief still has to be worked through. It is like walking through water. Sometimes there are little waves lapping about my feet. Sometimes there is an enormous breaker that knocks me down. Sometimes there is a sudden and fierce squall. But I know that many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.