“Why must it be in human nature to hear one thing but to believe in another?""Because we want things to get better," I said. "Otherwise we would all give up.”

“You said, 'I love you.' Why is it that the most unoriginal thing we can say to one another is still the thing we long to hear? ”

“Surely, things will get better," she said. I wanted to know just one thing. Who the hell was "Shirley," and why should I believe her?”

“If we want to help better brighten humanity then...we must all give peace a chance!”

“I believe we must do things in our lives for the right reasons, because we enjoy doing them, with no expectation of getting something back in return. Otherwise, we are constantly being disappointed." She moved her turquoise bracelet back and forth on her wrist. "So I had two sons, John and Richard, because I wanted to, not because I thought they would rescue me in old age. I got out of all social organizations and clubs in my fifties so I could spend time with my grandchildren, not because they would give something back to Jack and me later on, but because that was what I wanted to do--and I have loved doing it. Believe me, these have been selfish decisions.”

“There was that word again.Mature. Was this what maturity was? Giving up on the things we wanted because we knew we’d never get them?”