“I know the well of my maternal incompetence is deep but I am determined to siphon up a calm and breathing hope for him.”

“Astley comes to my side. "Are you well?" "No," I tell him, voice hoarse. "I am not well. I am broken inside. I am broken almost all-the-way deep, and I don't know...I don't know if I can ever be unbroken, let alone well again”.”

“But I am your willing sacrifice, Dustin; I am the one willing to let you go in the deep hope that you will someday come back to me, come back to that moment and that understanding.Yes, I cannot breathe without you in my soul, but I also know that I cannot take your breath for you. I understand that now.”

“I am determined to practice deep listening. I am determined to practice loving speech.”

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”

“They look up at me and see a rich lady in maternity clothes. They don't realize I am one of them.”