Twice

by Mitch Albom

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. —C. S. LEWIS

The truth is, you never do as much good as you could.

“I want, and you want, and God does what God wants.”

“Suspicion and belief—” “Can’t share the same bed.

It doesn’t always make sense, the way you miss somebody. Sometimes, hurt seeks hurt.

There are years you think about for moments, and moments you think about for years.

When you come into this world, you have all these people who want to take care of you, and you don’t know any of them. Then, when you’re leaving this world, you have all these people you do know, but few of them want to be bothered.

if you keep getting second chances, you won’t learn a damn thing.”

“Did you know llamas hum when they’re happy?” “Did you know cheetahs can see three miles away?”

The Truth About True Love: what we yearn for, deep down, is a heart that will embrace us after we make a fool of ourselves.

“Some of the biggest things in life happen over the smallest turns in the day.”

It’s like that old song, if something is wrong with my baby, something is wrong with me. I score that as another entry in The Truth About True Love.

Our best choices often come when we have no choice.

“Destiny is patient.”

It’s a wonderful thing, to be married to an excellent person.”

“Cayenne pepper,” he said, grabbing a shaker, “for the passion, yes? A lemon, for life’s disappointments. Some vinegar, for the challenges you will face. “And this . . .” He grabbed a jar of honey. “For the sweetness and joy.” He placed the goods on the counter. “If you taste these four elements during your ceremony, it means you will understand what lies ahead in marriage.” “That’s beautiful,” Gianna said. “Did you make that up?” “Yes. Well. First, I saw it done in Nigeria. Then I made it up!”

“Suspicion and belief cannot share the same bed.”

What was it they said about passion and rocket fuel? They both burn fast?

But selfishness is always clearer when you’re looking back on it.

What is it about time and love that turns us from red with desire to pale with familiarity?

Truth About True Love: it doesn’t have to cost you anything. Even when it might cost you everything.

Secrecy is a loan against your better judgment. You pay the interest in regret.

A single thought can change every part of you. How you walk, how you smile, how you listen, how you breathe.

Some events in life you process as they happen. Others take a lifetime to understand.

Truth About True Love: only a whole heart can support it.

“I want, and you want, and God does what God wants.”

Truth About True Love: it makes you feel like you belong someplace.

I suppose all of it goes back to the grass is always greener. I looked up that phrase once. Did you know it dates to a Greek poet in the first century BC? That’s how long we’ve been making fools of ourselves.

We invent all kinds of theories about how our hearts get broken, when we’re the ones who drop them on the floor.

The Truth About True Love is that it can wait a lifetime. Or two.