These Precious Days: Essays

by Ann Patchett

Death always thinks of us eventually. The trick is to find the joy in the interim, and make good use of the days we have. Darrell Ray, Ann Patchett, Frank Patchett, and Mike Glasscock.

Contrary to popular belief, love does not need understanding to thrive.

Having someone who believed in my failure more than my success kept me alert. It made me fierce. Without ever meaning to, my father taught me at a very early age to give up on the idea of approval. I wish I could bottle that freedom now and give it to every young writer I meet, with an extra bottle for the women. I would give them the ability both to love and not to care.