Joe Archer

“In sickness and in sickness. That is what I wish for you. Don't seek or expect miracles. There are no miracles. Not anymore. And there are no cures for the hurt that hurts most. There is only the medicine of believing each other's pain, and being present for it.”
― Jonathan Safran Foer, Here I Am

“How many times, in those first weeks, did he enter the room and stand by the door, unable to speak? How many times did she ask, "Do you need anything?"
And he would say, "No."
And she would say "Are you sure?"
And he would say, "Yes," but think, Ask again.
And she would say, "I know," but think, Come to me.
And he would say , "Ask again."
And she would say, "Come to me."
And saying nothing, he would.
There they would be, side by side, her hand on his thigh, his head resting on her chest. If they had been teenagers, it would have looked like the beginning of love, but they'd been married for twenty years, and it was the exhumation of love.”
― Jonathan Safran Foer, Here I Am

“He chose illness, because he knew of no other way to be seen. Not even by those looking at him.”
― Jonathan Safran Foer, Here I Am

“And so it was literature that brought me back to life.”
― Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Becomes Air