And sometimes you do everything right and something bad just happens. It's as simple, and as scary, as that. - Anna Quindlen

Charm is like tinsel without the tree. What's tinsel without the tree? Shredded tinfoil.

I mark my years or parenting by the people who stepped in and forced me to abandon my inclination to meddle, micromanage, and coddle, beginning with my children's father, who sat me down and told me in year two that I was going to create a little monster if I continuted to act as though "no" and "I don't love you" were synonomous.

It's a funny thing, hope. It's not like love, or fear, or hate. It's a feeling you don't really know you had until it's gone.