“It’s hard not to smile when you’re going eyeball to eyeball with a frosted chocolate cupcake.”

“I'm not sure why, but when a person expects something to last forever, they don't notice the little things. It's only when the clock is ticking all those little things add up and become bigger.”

“When tended the right way, beauty multiplies.”

“There is nothing in the world more pathetic than a bunch of wilted dandelions.”

“There’s no accounting for the opinions of old ladies. They think everyone is cute.”

“Eyes aren't good liars.”

“They don’t have classes on bravery in middle school. If they did I’d have signed up. It would have been helpful to learn how to stare down what I feared most and not blink.”

“I think maybe bad things seem worse when people are alone. When they can turn that bad thought over and over in their head, polishing it like a stone, until it shines dark and black. Maybe the key to making things better is being with other people. Little by little, smiles and laughter and hugs can chip away at any dark stone, even if it’s as big as a boulder to start. Then finally, bit by bit, it shrinks until it’s no bigger than a pebble, something that even I could kick down the road.”

“Good storytellers are always ready for the next question.”

“It’s hard not to smile when you’re going eyeball to eyeball with a frosted chocolate cupcake.”

“Everyone has a story - find yours!”