“Furthermore, the writer is not there to see the reaction of the person he writes to, so there’s a great unknown to the process that requires a leap of faith.”

I am no trouble at all. You could press me into dough and make sugar cookies out of me, I’ve been so sweet.

Regardless of whether they loved us back or treated us fairly or understood our shortcomings.

To fail and succeed and flourish and fly.

I adored the Iranian sisters, Marjan, Bahar and Layla, who are looking to build a life, start a business and find love in a place so far from home.

People have often told me that one of their strongest childhood memories is the scent of their grandmother’s house.

The wedding vows are a license to be a complete jerk.

I don’t even like the sound of the dryer going – I like the quiet.

Money doesn’t have anything have anything to do with the magnificence of a person.

A feat she had never believed possible

We worry only about those we brought into this world.

Travel is very inspirational – but it’s in the ordinary that I find my themes of love and work and family.

The intimacy. The deepest level of love.

Having a purpose is the little secret of the nonpretties. Something to do always beats something to look at.

The good things that happen to us were meant to happen, and the bad things that happen are lessons meant to teach us to be better.

Art makes the spirit soar. And when the spirit is lifted, life follows.

The Bookmobile is just a government truck, but to me it’s a glittering royal coach delivering stories and knowledge and life itself.

“The king may die, or I may die, or the horse may die. Furthermore, in a year, who knows? Maybe the horse will learn to fly.” My philosophy is like that man’s. I take the long-range view.

Furthermore, I think Carthage must be destroyed.