“But I realize now that a pivotal moment isn't necessarily the most joyful or memorable one; it is often just the moment that reverberates most powerfully.”

“Fear about what, exactly?''Everything,' I said. 'But mostly just the realization that all it takes is one moment for your entire world to turn upside down. One wrong decision, and it's over.”

“It was strange, I reflected.. that even in the weirdest circumstances, the most troubling episodes of one's life, the greatest divides from home and familiarity, there were these moments of undeniable joy.”

“Had they known at these moments to be quietly joyful? Most likely not. People mostly did not know enough when they were living life that they were living it.”

“Had they known at these moments to be queitly joyful? Most likely not. People mostly did not know enough when they were living life that they were living it.”

“Writing the last page of the first draft is the most enjoyable moment in writing. It's one of the most enjoyable moments in life, period. ”