Maureen

“Anxiety is what kept us alive, back in the day. It helps us know when things are wrong, when situations are dangerous or people mean us harm. It's just sometimes it gets ahead of itself, right?”
― Abbi Waxman, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”
― William Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents

“Never explain, never retract, never apologize. Just get the thing done and let them howl.”
― Miriam Toews, All My Puny Sorrows

“But what is the bedrock of civilized society? Libraries, said Elf.”
― Miriam Toews, All My Puny Sorrows