“WisdomI who have decided to love mankindinstead of men,to love life’s contradictions,impossibilities.I who have grown into a fine oldphilosopher, when suddenlythe telephone rings, his voiceprickling the length of my neck.Or he teases me, calls mesweet little gooseand my heart careens.What we love in anotheris the life in that person;that is why we must neverseek to possess him.sweet little goose”

“Dance comes naturally to us when we're little but fades when we get older. Too many people let the stresses of life get them wound up. I think there's something to be said for cutting loose and having a good time. And hey, people even danced in Bible days.”

“I thought back to that precious moment ... when he'd first pulled me into his arms. How strong I'd felt. That same feeling of strength had washed over me afresh when Twila and the other Splendora sisters prayed with me. And now, as I watched my parents embrace, I realized the truth: there really is strength in numbers. No matter what I faced in this life, I could handle it with the people I loved surrounding me.”

“Yah-weh. Not my way.”

“I liked the way he handled himself in the kitchen. I like men who cook. Men who cook are generally good lovers.”

“I am anxious. I am always anxious. I should change my name to Anxiety Dickinson. I am anxious about my little sister. My big sister. My mother. Myself. Life. I am anxious about what to wear, what to eat, what to say, how to breathe.”

“He flashed the warmest smile I'd ever seen, and my heart felt comforted. Maybe D.J. saw my insecurities, my fears. Maybe he knew God still had a lot of work to do in my life before I'd be good girlfriend material.Or maybe, just maybe, he saw beyond all that and simply wanted to flirt with the wedding coordinator instead of rehearse for the big night.I did my best to relax...and let him.”