Ellis Island Quotes

“Its magnificence was indescribable, and its magnitude was inconceivable. She felt overwhelmed in the presence of its greatness. Pg 87”
― Mona Rodriguez FORTY YEARS IN A DAY

“Confession is good for the soul even after the soul has been claimed” (p. 381).”
― Mona Rodriguez FORTY YEARS IN A DAY

“Why are you perpetuating a childhood you grew up despising?”
― Mona Rodriguez, Forty Years in a Day

“The ocean, just outside, seeped into everything. An olfactory reminder to everyone passing through the Ellis Island of the space age that Earth was absolutely unique to the human race. The birthplace of everything. The salt water flowing in everyone’s veins first pulled from the same oceans right outside the building. The seas had been around longer than humans, had helped create them, and then when they were all dead, it’d take their water back without a thought.”
― James S.A. Corey, Nemesis Games

“He greeted me in his usual attire - pajama pants. "Hey stranger!" he said, hugging me for a few long seconds. "I've already set up the board. Can I get you some rose"
I nodded, overwhelmingly relieved to be with another human being - even if he was really a wolf in grandma's clothing. Or was he just a wolf in wolf's clothing? After all, he wore pajamas... Hmmm. I contemplated all this as he poured me a glass of wine.
"Mind if I smoke?" he asked as he lit up a joint and motioned me over to the sleek brown couch. Italian, of course.
Through the three windows that faced south, north, and west, I saw the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, where I had paid to have my parents' names inscribed in the immigrant wall of honor. Some American Dream this was!”
― Inna Swinton, The Many Loves of Mila

“they came to these islands and low hills
which lift up from a land where we have
set a lamp with a golden torch
on top, to remind us, here at the door:
entering through it was a promise to leave it
open behind us.”
― Sharon Olds

“At the center of my life, I have found new hope and a renewed direction. I feel the communal surge of spirit amidst a group of people who had, like us, lost theirs to some degree in the places they fled. I will not allow Theo to bring me down. I will lift him up.”
― Penelope Przekop, Centerpieces

“Life isn't mapped out for us, Tom,' I say. 'We can change! We can do it together. Let's not give up on each other now. There is too much to lose; I love you.”
― Penelope Przekop, Centerpieces

“Life isn't mapped out for us, Tom," I say. "We can change! We can do it together. Let's not give up on each other now. There is too much to lose; I love you.”
― Penelope Przekop, Centerpieces