“you had to have happiness to miss happiness!”

“We all miss people. I miss my parents, may they rest in peace. I miss my marriage when it was good. You don't have to stop missing. You just have to accept that missing doesn't mean you turn away your happiness.”

“It was too late for happiness - but not too late to be helped by the thought of what I had missed. That is all I haved lived on - don't take it from me now”

“Miss Celia stares down into the pot like she's looking for her future. "Are you happy, Minny?""Why you ask me funny questions like that?""But are you?""Course I's happy. You happy too. Big house, big yard, husband looking after you." I frown at Miss Celia and I make sure she can see it. Because ain't that white people for you, wondering if they are happy ENOUGH.”

“Remember, pain is just the messenger dat happiness is comin', Miss Charlotte. So beez happy.”

“It's a happy life and someone is missing.”