She felt worthless and hollow. There was no hope of fixing this. And when hope is gone, time is punishment.

The more you defend a lie, the angrier you become.

I used to be a classic workaholic, and after seeing how little work and career really mean when you reach the end of your life, I put a new emphasis on things I believe count more. These things include: family, friends, being part of a community, and appreciating the little joys of the average day.

Suddenly, details seemed extremely important. Details were something to grab on to, a way to insert myself into the story.

Please do not leave me, he thought. He could not bear a world without Alli. He realized how much he relied on her from morning until night. She was his only conversation. His only smile. She prepared their meager food and always offered it to him first, even though he insisted she eat before he did. THey leaned on each other at sunsets. Holding her as they slept felt like his last connection to humanity.

Don't let go too soon, but don't hold on too long.

when your time came, it came, and that was that. You might say something smart on your way out, but you might just as easily say something stupid.