“You [meaning mothers] said good-bye a little every day -- from the minute they left your body until they left your home.”

“You left me."Not realizing until I've said my final good-bye and closed the door behind me, that he's not referring to the past.He's prophesying our future.”

“The little boy had wandered away from his mother, tacking across the grass to the play structure. His mother watched him go, proud, tickled, unaware that every time they toddled away from you, they came back a little different, ten seconds older and nearer to the day when they left you for good. Pearl divers in training, staying under a few seconds longer every time.”

“Where is your homework?" Mr. McNulty asked.It's with Ariel."There's no such thing as homework," I said."What?""I mean, I left it at home.”

“every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. and, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. it really is the most poetic thing i know about physics: you are all stardust.”

“I’ve lost so many people. Some I left on purpose and never looked back. Some were taken from me, and I never said good-bye.”