Big Summer

by Jennifer Weiner

Once I’d started searching out clothes that fit and looked good on the body I had instead of the one that I wanted, I had discovered exactly the feeling Leela Thakoon was talking about.

Epiphany

It flattered, which, in my mind, meant that it didn’t make me look thin, or different, but instead like the best version of myself.

Love this

Rabbi Medloff touched my hand. “In the Jewish tradition, when someone dies, we say ‘Baruch dayan ha’emet,’ which means ‘Blessed is the true judge.’ ” He looked at me, his eyes intent. “God knows your friend. God knows her heart. Who she was, and who she was trying to become.” He squeezed my hand. “There is a true judge, and I believe that judge will see her.”

That last sentence

As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.

I just did whatever was easy. And I could probably keep doing that—just the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing—until I’m old. Or dead.”