Quotes from Joan W. Blos

She lived among us for a while And brought joy where she went. We thought she was a gift of God But learned she was but lent.

Kindness must be the highest virtue--don't let me forget that ever. Were I to strive for one thing only 'twould be to be kind to others, as you are, Catherine.

Well, I am going on 83 now but not about to quit. There are too many things I know about where I want to see what happens. You, my dear, being one of them, and this new century starting. Do what you can to make it good. And remember, as we used to say, that life is like a pudding: it takes both the salt and the sugar to make a really good one.

Always there is the one choice to be made: which road to take? which duty to accept? which item, amidst a store's displays, to purchase as our own? The paths of the past parts of our lives are strewn with things not chosen. One believes, nay, one is taught , that choice provides fulfillment of desire. In truth, however, relinquishment and loss enter in to the bargain every single time. Loss looks over the shoulders of fair choice. For every thing one chooses, some thing is left behind.

For are we not, all of us, wand'rers and strangers; and do we not, all of us, travel in danger or voyage uncharted seas?

Thus we determined 'tis not solely the condition, but whether or not one has a choice that determines its oppression.

And that is what life's all about, changes going on every minute, and you never know when something begins where is going to take you. So one thing I want to say about life is don't be scared I don't hang back, and most of all, don't waste it.

A reader lives 1000 lives before he dies.