“It is strange how we hold on to the pieces of the past while we wait for our futures.”

“It's strange how we hold on to the pieces of the past while we wait for our futures.”

“It is strange how we hold onto the pieces of the past while we wait for our futures.”

“Good-bye,” I say to Grandfather, and to my father, and I hold the tube in the river and pause a moment. We hold the choices of our fathers and mothers in our hands and when we cling on or let them slip between our fingers, those choices become our own.”

“But perhaps it can make the pause between death's footsteps sound and look and feel beautiful, can make the space of waiting a place where you can linger without as much fear. For we are all walking each other to our deaths, and the journey there between footsteps makes up our lives.”

“We do not kiss. We do nothing but hold on and breathe, but still I know. I cannot go gently now. Not even for the sake of my parents, my family.Not even for Xander.”

“To see how Grandfather handles leaving, and tosee how we manage being left.”