The Secret to Hummingbird Cake

by Celeste Fletcher McHale

I never understood what was so difficult about just saying whatever was on your mind.

“You are responsible for what you do. No matter what you go through, no matter what happens to you, no matter how much someone hurt you, the choices you make are ultimately your own.”

It wasn’t a person’s age that made death sad. It was the size of absence it caused in the ones left behind.

That’s the bad thing about grieving anyone or anything. You have to go through it, not around it.”

An American writer, Rita Mae Brown wrote, “I still miss those I loved who are no longer with me, but I find I am grateful for having loved them. The gratitude has finally conquered the loss.”

I sometimes feel sorry for couples who have never gone through anything, who never have their limits tested. There’s no doubt in my mind we can weather any storm life throws our way.