I'm one of the most fortunate people in the world.

I would much rather be known as the mother of a great son than the author of a great book or the painter of a great masterpiece.

Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity - a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother.

What greater aspiration and challenge are there for a mother than the hope of raising a great son or daughter?

I'm one of the most fortunate people in the world.

Sedentary people are apt to have sluggish minds. A sluggish mind is apt to be reflected in flabbiness of body and in a dullness of expression that invites no interest and gets none.

I tried to allow my children to take risks, to test themselves. Better broken bones than broken spirit.