The truth is when I went to graduate school I would've said I was among the least talented of the students, I was certainly the least smart, or less educated. But I worked very hard.

The shreiking fight or the out-of-character insult endures forever, while the daily sweetness dissolves like sugar in water.

As a memoirist, I strive for veracity.

If dysfunction means that a family doesn't work, then every family ambles into some arena in which that happens, where relationships get strained or even break down entirely. We fail each other or disappoint each other. That goes for parents, siblings, kids, marriage partners - the whole enchilada.

I get so lonely sometimes, I could put a box on my head and mail myself to a stranger.

I find a great deal of comfort and care in my faith and prayer. I'd sooner do without air than prayer.

Those are only rumors of suffering. Real suffering has a face and a smell. It lasts in the most intense form no matter what you drape over it. And it knows your name.