“So now, all alone or not, you gotta walk ahead. Thing to remember is if we're all alone, then we're all together in that too.”

“Alone or not, you gotta walk forward.”

“Now let me teach you another thing about my daughter. I love her very much but she has the ability to hide as expertly as a sock in a washing machine. No one knows where it goes, just as no one knows where she goes, but at least when she decides to come back, we're all here, waiting for her.”

“You all looked so happy together in the photograph. You looked like theperfect family. Is there such a thing anymore because if there is, my happylittle unit was definitely not in the queue when they were handing out thetitles.”

“In truth, we're all just pottering, filling the time that we have here, only we like to make ourselves feel bigger by compiling lists of importance.”

“So this is what you do when it all slows down and the minutes that tick by feel a little longer than before. You take your time. You breathe slowly. You open your eyes a little wider and look at everything. Take it all in. Rehash stories of old, remember people, times, and occasions gone by. Allow everything you see to remind you of something. Talk about those things. Find out the answers you didn’t know to yesterday’s crosswords. Slow down. Stop trying to do everything now, now, now. Hold up the people behind you for all you care, feel them kicking at your heels but maintain your pace. Don’t let anybody else dictate your speed.”

“Aim for something Rosie, I know you don’t want to hear it, but it willhelp. Aim for what you want and the year will all make sense. Go to Bostonif that will make you happy. Study hotel management like you’ve alwayswanted.You’re only young Rosie, and I know that you absolutely hate to hearthat but it’s true. What seems tragic now won’t even be an issue in a fewlove, rosie 29years time. You’re only 17. You and Alex have the rest of your lives to catchup together . . . After all, soul mates always end up together. Silly Bethanywon’t even be remembered in a few years time. Ex-girlfriends are easily forgotten.Best friends stay with you forever.”