“Children are born with imaginations in mint condition, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Then life corrects for grandiosity.”

“His eyes were sharp but kind, and it seemed to amuse him to see children misbehave when he knew that deep down they didn't really want to misbehave, but were just feeling lonely or misunderstood or wanted to go outside and play instead of sitting in a hot classroom. (26)”

“Writing is not only a reflection of what one thinks and feels but a rope one weaves with words that can lower you below or hoist you above the surface of your life, enabling you to go deeper or higher than you would otherwise go. What excites me about his metaphor is that is makes writing much more than a lifesaving venture.”

“We were all so young that there were no lines on our faces to read between.”

“Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.”

“To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.”

“Every house has its own private cup of sorrow. (3)”