You know, if you hang around this earth long enough you really see how things come full circle.

My father, for his part, was not a man to begrudge anyone a divergent opinion; he'd have been fine if I had written some articles disagreeing with his policies, or even given interviews, as long as I was respectful and civil.

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.

I really just wanted to be a writer, but people tell you, 'You should have a backup career,' so I thought, 'OK, I'll act.' That was the foolishness of my vision for my life - that my backup career would be completely undependable.

It takes strength to make your way through grief, to grab hold of life and let it pull you forward.

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

I often imagine what it would be like if my father were still here to mark his 100th birthday, if Alzheimer's hadn't clawed away years, possibilities, hopes. What would he think of all the commemorations and celebrations?