You need to make time for family no matter what happens in your life.

I’m a screwed-up person who no longer knows how to communicate with the people I love. But I meant everything I told you in my letter. If I were your Nikki, I would have come back to you on Christmas Day, but I’m not Nikki. I know. And I’m sorry.

You may exist in this world--but I exist too and I will not yield

Life is not a PG feel-good movie. Real life often ends badly. Literature tries to document this reality, while showing us it is still possible for us to endure nobly.

That's basically the mantra of Herr Silverman's teaching - think for yourself and do what's right for you, but let others do the same.

When she needed help most, she was abandoned--and only when she offered help to others was she beloved.

Let me tell ya. You gotta pay attention to signs. When life reaches out with a moment like this it's a sin if you don't reach back... I'm telling you.