“I forgive you. And with those words, audibly, the frozen part of your heart crumbles.”

“Life’s too short to not forgive those who hurt us. I trust you to do what’s right. Right by your own heart.…Forgiveness sets you free.”

“But still, here are the words Despereaux Tilling spoke to his father. He said, "I forgive you, Pa!" And he said those words because he sensed that it was the only way to save his heart, to stop it from breaking in two. Despereaux, reader, spoke those words to save himself.”

“Is not seeing any ugly parts in myself an ugly part? Is not wanting to forgive someone's ugly parts an ugly part in oneself?"Yeah. I didn't understand a word you said, but yeah.”

“Do you ever dangle your toes over the precipice, dare the cliff to crumble, defy the frozen deity to suffer the sun, thaw feather and bone, take wing to fly you home?”

“I want to know." His words are a whisper, barely audible. "I want to know with you.”