I take account of my life and find that I have lived a lot and learned very little. - Pat Conroy

Among the worst things about growing old is the loss of those irreplaceable friends who added richness and depth to your life.

Here is what The Boo loved more than The Citadel—nothing, nothing on this Earth. The sun rose on Lesesne Gate and it set on the marshes of the Ashley River and its main job was to keep the parade grounds green. He once told me that a cadet was nothing but a bum, like you, Conroy. But a Corps of Cadets was the most beautiful thing in the world. In World War II, he led an artillery unit during the Battle of the Bulge and he once told me, "The Germans hated to see me and my boys catch em in the open." It is my own personal belief that The Boo's own voice was more frightening to the Germans than the artillery fire he was directing toward them.

The best thing about a small town is that you grow up knowing everyone. It is also the worst thing.