Joann Quotes

“She turned away, intent on finding work to distract her from her disturbing thoughts, and crashed into Nathan. He didn’t say anything, just cradled her elbows, steadying her. She wanted to press her face into his flannel shirt and cry for Mrs. Lacy, and Matty Delarue, and the teenage boy ruining her bread, but most of all for Nathan, and if she were honest, for herself, because she was afraid that sooner or later, he’d have to go. She didn’t need him for the store, but she needed him. Or at least she thought she did.
She felt so firm in what she wanted for the store, and how she wanted to carve out a name for herself, yet uncertain about how to go about it and have Nathan, too.”
― Donna Jo Stone, Joann

“Two boys of about eight years old ran alongside the road, taking advantage of the evening sunshine and chasing each other in the overgrown spring grass. Their feet crushed the leaves, releasing the tang of tender new growth.
She waited until the children passed, but no clarity came. Her thoughts remained as tangled as the weeds.”
― Donna Jo Stone, Joann

“Mrs. Delarue’s son was stationed stateside, but hadn’t been for a visit. {Military} Leave was hard to come by. The Delarues had been to see him, but Joann knew it wasn’t the same. Holidays were hard when part of the family was missing. Nothing could fill the hole absent loved ones left.”
― Donna Jo Stone, Joann

“At the first chord of an old hymn, the music took Joann back and grounded her in the present simultaneously. The only thing better than being in the arms of her family was to be in the arms of Jesus, and the music reminded her how blessed she was.
Nothing was as glorious as being with loved ones, celebrating God’s goodness in the company of believers.”
― Donna Jo Stone, Joann