Michelle

“It's come at last," she thought, "the time when you can no longer stand between your children and heartache. When there wasn't enough food in the house you pretended that you weren't hungry so they could have more. In the cold of a winter's night you got up and put your blanket on their bed so they wouldn't be cold. You'd kill anyone who tried to harm them - I tried my best to kill that man in the hallway. Then one sunny day, they walk out in all innocence and they walk right into the grief that you'd give your life to spare them from.”
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

“If that kid turned out to be a loser, it’s his own fault. We all make choices. When you grew up, you made the choice to drink. Five years ago, you made the choice to stop! You know how they say that ‘shit happens?’ That’s bullshit! Miracles happen - shit just gets in the way!”
― Pam Logan, How Do You Say Goodbye

“My mother... she is beautiful, softened at the edges and tempered with a spine of steel. I want to grow old and be like her.”
― Jodi Picoult

“It happens to everyone as they grow up. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you've known forever don't see things the way you do. So you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on.”
― Nicholas Sparks