“Dreams should make you think, ‘If I had the guts to do it and I didn’t care what anybody thought, this I what I’d really do’.”

“You were worried about me?” “Of course I was, buddy. I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened. You didn’t think I’d be worried about you?” “No. I didn’t think you cared.” Dad looks sad. And surprised. I’m not sure why. “Really, buddy? You didn’t think I cared?” “No.” “Well, I do. A lot.” “Okay.” “I guess I need to do a better job of showing you.” “Yes. You could do a better job.” Dad laughs. And he hugs me again.”

“You do realize that I never thought you had a stellarreputation.” Her teasing tone made me smile.“What? You didn’t think I was next in line for Pope? Damn, I thought I had you fooled.”

“I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!”

“I don’t know why you put up with me, and I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t.”

“And if I didn’t, I’d spend the rest of my life wondering who I could have turned into if only I’d had the guts to try.”