And gradually his memory slipped a little, as memories do, even those with so much love attached to them; as if there is an unconscious healing proce… - Colleen McCullough

Age brought wisdom, but it also brought a genuine gratitude for the happiness of sharing life with someone as much liked as loved.

There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to outcarol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain… Or so says the legend

But we, when we put the thorns in our breasts, we know...we understand...and still we do it. Still we do it.