“Enjoy everything and everybody that makes you laugh,because one day you wont laugh at all”

“Those are the only to verbalizations usually that we make in movies—either to scream or to laugh—because those two reactions are rather close. Most things we laugh at are things that are really horrible, when you think about them. It’s funny and you don’t scream, as long as it’s not you. If it’s somebody else you can laugh.”

“And, you know, I hope you have some fun with this book. Nosh and nibble at the corners or read the mother straight through, but enjoy. That's what it's for, as much as any of the novels. Maybe there will be something here to make you think or make you laugh or just make you mad. Any of those reactions would please me. Boredom, however, would be a bummer.”

“There is so much I hope to teach you, little one. I hope that I may do so by example, but I feel the needto put the words topaper as well. It is a quirk of mine, one which I expect you will recognize and find amusing by the timeyou read this letter.Be strong.Be diligent.Be conscientious. There is never anything to be gained by taking the easy road. (Unless, of course, theroad is an easy one to begin with. Roads sometimes are. If that should be the case, do not forge a new,more difficult one. Only martyrs go outlooking for trouble.)Love your siblings. You have two already, and God willing, there will be more. Love them well, for theyare your blood,and when you are unsure, or times are difficult, they will be the ones to stand by your side.Laugh. Laugh out loud, and laugh often. And when circumstances call for silence, turn your laugh into asmile.Don't settle. Know what you want and reach for it. And if you don't know what you want, be patient.The answers willcome to you in time, and you may find that your heart s desire has been right under your nose all thewhile.And remember, always remember that you have a mother and a father who love each other and loveyou.I feel you growing restless. Your father is making strange gasping sounds and will surely lose his temperaltogether if Ido not move from my escritoire to my bed.Welcome to the world, little one. We are all so delighted to make your acquaintance.”

“He sucked his lips in an attempt not to laugh. "Aren't you Spanish?"She raised one arm in a salute. "Viva la Queen Isabella!""I see. Then why are you speaking with a French accent?”

“Children laugh an average of three hundred or more times a day; adults laugh an average of five times a day. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

“If you can't laugh when things go bad--laugh and put on a little carnival--then you're either dead or wishing you were.”