“…told herself likewise not to hope. But it was too late. Hope had already entered…”

“She could not trust herself to hope—but without hope, she realized, she had no reason to go on.”

“She hoped that her baby was happy and would be waiting for her when she herself left Botswana and went to heaven. Would Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni get round to naming a wedding date before then? She hoped so, although he certainly seemed to be taking his time. Perhaps they could get married in heaven, if he left it too late. That would certainly be cheaper.”

“If we change our thoughts from 'it's too late' to, 'there's still hope', we might see some change in the world.”

“Hope had finally learned to live in the present. Often, when she found herself in a space of tremendous comfort, usually out in nature, or when her children were safe all around her and on the verge of going to bed, she forced herself to take stock. Here you are, Hope, she told herself. What a beautiful moment. You may never again be here at this spot, enjoying the calm. This habit of hers, to acknowledge the immediate and elusive joy of the present, kept her sane.”

“He had high hopes for society, and though his hopes were too often dashed, he remained a raging optimist.”