Hayden

“Then came "The Song of Darkness," the last of the three songs, and the one most filled with longing and majesty. The soul of Ember was in this song. Its tremendous chords held all the sorrow and all the strength of the people of the city. The song reached its climax: "Darkness like an endless night," sang the hundreds of voices, so powerfully the air seemed to shiver.
And at that moment, the lights once more went out. The voices faltered, but only for an instant. Then they rose again in the darkness, stronger even than before. Lina sang, too. She stood up and sang with all her might into the deep, solid blackness.”
― Jeanne DuPrau

“They lifted their faces to the astonishing warmth. The sky arched over them, a pale, clear blue. Lina felt as though a lid that had been on her all her life had been lifted off. Light and air rushed though her, making a song, like the songs of Ember, only it was a song of joy. She looked at Doon and saw that he was smiling and crying at the same time, and she realized that she was, too.”
― Jeanne DuPrau, The City of Ember

“Why do I want to take care of Mr. President, particularly when
he’s desperate like this? Sure, he has been useful—he has saved me
from many a newzie—but there aren’t many newzies left. And it’s not
like Mr. President has infected me with a virus that predisposes me to
want to care for him.
I think it’s because Mr. President is a symbol, and symbols
matter. Caroline liked to say that I was a sentimentalist. But sentiment
is really just an appreciation for the reality and signi"cance of
symbols—which is why I’m still here, and she’s not.”
― John Green, Zombicorns

“We never know what is going to happen, do we? Life is always throwing us this way and that. That’s where the adventure is. Not knowing where you’ll end up or how you’ll fare. It’s all a mystery, and when we say any different, we’re just lying to ourselves. Tell me, when have you felt most alive?”
― Eowyn Ivey, The Snow Child