“The process of change is made up of subtraction and addition. Taking something off and then puttin something on.”

“Mystical additions and subtractions always come out the way you want.”

“There is no division nor subtraction in the heart-arithmetic of a good mother. There are only addition and multiplication.”

“Life isn't just addition and subtraction. There's also the accumulation, the multiplication, of loss, of failure.”

“Everything is in the process of becoming something else. It’s the law of change.” I briefly kissed Livvie’s eyelids before she could open them. “I’m in the process of becoming something else, Livvie. I hope it’s something good, something far removed from the monster you knew.”

“When something or someone is no longer bringing you up, but pulling you down—it’s time to let go. When something or someone is no longer adding to your life, but subtracting from it—it’s time to let go.”