ASHLEY

“I can’t imagine.” It didn’t mean that PJ wasn’t capable of imagining it—it really meant I recognize that you have had an incredibly difficult time. I recognize that you had to dredge up more strength than you knew you had, and I am impressed that you are still standing. I don’t think I would be if that happened to me, but look at you, standing! On two feet!”
― Annie Hartnett, The Road to Tender Hearts

“some parts of us are shaped by what we see. And how we’re treated by other people. How we’re made to feel.”
― Ashley Audrain, The Push

“Why don’t people ever say anything real?” And now he knew why. Because to say anything real was to say things that nobody wanted to know. Or if they wanted to know, they would not care in the right way. Or even understand. It was a private thing, to be alive. He understood this now.”
― Elizabeth Strout, The Things We Never Say

“Do not ever pollute the soil, the air or the river. That’s why I never spit on the ground. You shouldn’t do it either.” “What if I have to cough?” “Well, cough into a handkerchief and fold it away. The earth is not a receptacle for our waste matter.”
― Elif Shafak, There Are Rivers in the Sky