“Somehow the pain, the losses, the hurt, the bad, Godis able to transform these into something they could have neverbeen, icons and monuments of grace and love. It is the deepmystery how wounds and scars can become precious, or aravaging and terrifying cross the essential symbol of relentlessaffection.”“Is it worth it?” whispered Tony.“Wrong question, son. There is no ‘it.’ The question is andhas always been, ‘Are you worth it?’ and the answer is andalways, ‘Yes!’ ”

“Anger is the right response to something that is so wrong. But don't let the anger and pain and loss you feel prevent you from forgiving him and removing your hands from around his neck.”

“Don't ever think that what my Son chose to do didn't cost us dearly. Love always leaves a significant mark," she stated softly and gently. "We were there together." Mack was surprised. "At the cross? Now wait. I thought you left him - you know - 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'" It was a Scripture that had often haunted Mack in The Great Sadness. "You misunderstand the mystery there. Regardless of what he felt at that moment, I never left him." "How can you say that? You abandonded him just like you abandoned me!" "Mackenzie, I never left him, and I have never left you." "That makes no sense to me," he snapped. "I know it doesn't, at least not yet. Will you at least consider this: when all you can see is your pain, perhaps then you lose sight of me?”

“oh my soul...be prepared for him who knows how to ask questions”

“You want to know why I live here, in this ‘hovel’; I think thatis the word you used, based on your civilized and educatedperception?”There was no use denying it. “Yes, I was wondering. Sowhy?”“It was the best you could give me.” She didn’t turn from herwork.“Excuse me? The best ‘I’ could give you? I had nothing to dowith this. I could build you something much better, but not this.How could you think…?”“It’s all right, Anthony! I have no expectations. I am grateful tohave found even this small place in your heart. I travel light”—she smiled as if at some secret thought—“and I make my homeinside the simplest gifts. There is nothing to feel bad or ashamedabout. I am thoroughly grateful, and being here is a joy!”“So… because this is me, my world somehow, I have onlymade this small place for you?”

“...you are surrounded by beauty, the wonder of Creation, art, your music and culture, the sounds of laughter and love, of whispered hopes and celebrations, of new life and transformation, of reconciliation and forgiveness. These also are the results of your choices and every choice matters, even the hidden ones.”

“I’ve never met anyone that was all bad.Mostly bad, yes, but never all bad. Everyone was once a child,and that gives me hope for people. They just end up bringing tothe table what they have and they do what they do for a reason,even if they don’t know themselves what it is. Takes time to findit sometimes, but there is always a reason.”