“Her past was finally speaking to her in a language she understood.”

“The smell of burning firewood and the molding of organic, earthy substances reminded her of jumping wildly into the enormous leaf piles of autumns past and she suddenly wished that it was appropriate for someone her age to do such a thing.”

“She was now on her way to an old world that was nothing but new to her.”

“Eventually, as her grandmother’s sobs softened, she pulled her away and – looking deeply into the clouds of her grey eyes – lifted her and led her home for the last time.”

“She looked over at her grandmother, smiling in her sleep from what she hoped was a dream about George Bailey and the angel that would eventually save him.”

“She sat on the stoop alone, gazing up at an infinite sky as it held her and pushed her away all at once.”

“She kept public radio on so it sounded like someone was sitting next to her, engaging her in intriguing conversation.”