I had this odd sibling rivalry with America.

There is a point in the grieving process when you can run away from memories or walk straight toward them.

I'm very comfortable writing in the first person; it dives into the character in a way that's difficult if you're writing in the third person.

Life Lesson 3: You can't rush grief. It has its own timetable. All you can do is make sure there are lots of soft places around - beds, pillows, arms, laps.

I have a feeling of reverence about my father being in his 80s - a feeling that I want to whisper, take soft steps, not intrude too much. He's like a stately old cathedral to me now.

When I was a child, our summer days were spent swimming; chlorine in my hair was like perfume to me.

I grew up in this era where your parents' friends were all called aunt and uncle. And then I had an aunt and an aunt. We saw them on holidays and other times. We never talked about it, but I just understood that they were a couple.