“You can ask why all day long if you want to. You can ask God why and your friends why and yourself why until you're buried in nothing but that single question, but you'll never get an answer. This side of heaven, time is the only thing that helps a little bit. So don't give in. Don't let the whys have it. Don't let them take advantage of you. They'll crush your heart and steal your peace and mess with your mind and wrap around you so tight you won't be able to breathe. Don't let the whys ruin your life, child. Every time they try to sneak up, push them aside and move forward. Trust me, it's the only way you can get on with living." I turn toward the window and think about her words. "What if I can't? Let it go, I mean?" I don't see her smile, but I can hear it. "You can. I know you can. Because no matter how hard life gets, there's always goodness right around the corner. All you have to do is look for it.” LifeGodDeathTimePeaceLossGriefGoodnessHardshipQuestionsWhy Book:The Whys Have It Source: The Whys Have It
“Two things people don't like to overshare about are their kids and their hometowns. The first might result in a fractured relationship or lack of trust. The second might put you out of work and shunned by people you used to call friends. The only thing folks value above their kids is their bank account, no matter how many might insist otherwise. Money talks. The threat of losing money keeps loose lips closed, for the most part.” PeopleKidsMoneyHometownBank AccountOvershare Book:They Call Her Dirty Sally Source: They Call Her Dirty Sally
“. . . because she knows the secret: that humans need contact to thrive, that a broken heart is only one crack away from a broken spirit, and that both can be mended by smoothing on thin layers of love.” Inspirational Love Book:The Whys Have It Source: The Whys Have It
“The point being, everyone knows a celebratory redemption story, one where the person in question overcomes adversity and becomes the main character in an undeniably remarkable turnaround story. But there's nothing but ridicule for the ones who never turn things around. Like the socialite whose ex-husband was arrested on a money laundering charge and is now an outcast among her former upscale circle. Or the father who abandoned everything for his mistress and now lives an isolated existence in a run-down apartment with no mistress, ex-wife, or kids. Or the bank executive who embezzled money and lost it all only to wind up living under a forty-second street bridge with his close friend Jack Daniels. Or the beauty queen who fell victim to a botched facelift and now curses her existence behind two-inch thick, closed miniblinds. No one celebrates the fallen and discarded because no one wants to admit it could happen to them. But we're all just one misstep away from living an upside-down life while the rest of the world points out all the ways we deserve it.” FatherAdversityRedemptionMistressOutcastTurnaroundBeauty QueenExecutiveSocialite Book:They Call Her Dirty Sally Source: They Call Her Dirty Sally
“Some people dream of becoming doctors or artists or veterinarians or teachers. I dream of the day Shaye laughs without stopping, and when she does, it will be only to take a breath before starting over again.” LoveBeautifulPoeticYoung Love Book:The End of the World Source: The End of the World
“Isn't that what every child wants even well into adulthood --- the opportunity to look their parents in the eye and see a glimmer of pride shining back at them?” PrideParentsChildAdulthood Book:They Call Her Dirty Sally Source: They Call Her Dirty Sally
“That's the depressing side of being an only child; when your parents die, and you inevitably become an orphan, you own the title in every sense of the word. Meaning now you've got no one to clean up the remnants of a life you no longer share with anyone.” ParentsOrphanOnly Child Book:They Call Her Dirty Sally Source: They Call Her Dirty Sally
“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." --nursery rhyme, and the first lie we learned in school” SchoolHurtWordsLieSticks And StonesNursery Rhyme Book:They Call Her Dirty Sally Source: They Call Her Dirty Sally