America had taken my father from me. And over most of the years of his illness, I gradually started feeling this support system from this country who-people grieving along with us.

Stories live in your blood and bones, follow the seasons and light candles on the darkest night-every storyteller knows she or he is also a teacher.

That is your legacy on this Earth when you leave this Earth: how many hearts you touched.

You have to separate yourself from your parents. You do. In order to find yourself.

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 don't think it's an accident who our parents are; I believe we choose them. So maybe I chose my parents in order to effect change.

Of course, people say maybe there are some self-published books out there that shouldn't be out there. Well, it's the same with conventional publishing.