I held her close to me with my eyes closed, wonering if anything in my life had ever been this perfect and knowing at the same time that it hadn't. I was in love, and the feeling was even more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be.

there were moments in life when violence was necessary to save lives

As I write, I am struggling with the ghost of someone I loved and lost. I now understand more fully the difficulties you were going through, and I realize how painful it must have been for you to move on.

That's my sweetheart in there. I'm not living her. This is my home now. Your mother is my home.

It was, I remembered thinking, the most difficult walk anyone ever had to make. In every way, a walk to remember.

That's my sweetheart in there. Wherever she is, that's where my home is.

I do love you. I mean, love has nothing to do with this.