Quotes from beth hoffman

like a deep bruise, the memory of Momma's final day jolts me whenever I bump up against it. I suspect it always will. So much about my mother's life and death would forever remain a mystery

I want to work really hard, that's the only thing I know how to do. I also know that I have a ton more to learn. If I'm not in an environment where I'm always learning, I don't want to be there.

I stared at the room full of caskets on display—their lids gaping open like hungry mouths, waiting to swallow up the newly departed. I decided I'd much rather exit this world in a crackle of flames and a swirl of smoke through my ribs than be cooped up for all eternity in a dark box surrounded by puffy white satin.

As I watched all the comings and goings and listened to the charming "Welcome to Savannah's" and the heartfelt "I'm so pleased to meet you's" that dripped like honey from these women's lips, I realized that Southern hospitality not only came from the heart but was a practiced social art that had been passed down from one generation to the next--like fine silverware or china.

Miz Goodpepper leaned forward and looked deep into my eyes. "My grandmother said, 'Don't grow up too fast, darling. Age is inevitable, but if you nurture a childlike heart, you'll never ever grow old.

That's what friends should do. cherish the good and pretend not to notice the harmless rest.

When a chapter of your Life Book is complete, your spirit knows its time to turn the page so a new chapter can begin. Even when you're scared or think you're not ready your spirit knows you are.

It's how we survive the hurt in life that brings us strength and gives us beauty.

It's what we believe about ourselves that determines how others see us.

Life is full of change, honey. That's how we learn and grow. When we're born, the Good Lord gives each of us a Life Book. Chapter by chapter, we live and learn... When a chapter of your Life Book is complete, your spirit knows it's time to turn the page so a new chapter can begin. Even when you're scared or think you're not ready, your spirit knows you are.

Don't go wasting all them bright tomorrows you ain't even seen by hanging on to what happened yesterday. Let go, child. Just breathe out and let go.

She] was a remarkable looking woman. Remarkable in that she wasn't what most people would call beautiful. But she oozed a raw femaleness that I was certain made most women uncomfortable and sent men walking into walls. And when she smiled. Well. That was magic.

Never tie your happiness to the tail of someone else's kite.

don't grow up to fast, darling. Age is inevitable, but if you nuture a childlike heart, you'll never ever grow old.

Life don't wait for nobody, and even as special as you are, it ain't gonna wait for you, neither. So it's time to make up your mind that you're gonna join it.

Everyone needs to find the one thing that brings out her passion. It's what we do and share with the world that matters. I believe it's important that we leave our communities in better shape than we found them.

It's how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and gives us our beauty.

That's life out there. See how it's movin? Even the leaves on the trees is movin'. Life don't wait for nobody, and even as special as you are, it ain't gonna wait for you, neither. So it's time to make up your mind that you're gonna join it.

far too many people die with a heart thats gone flat with indiferance, and it surely must be a terrible way to go. Life will offer amazing oppurtunities, but we've got to be wide-awake to recognize them.

But lately,' she said, wiggling her bare toes, 'I find all men to be very much like wearing high-heeled shoes -- I love how pretty they make me feel, but by the end of the night I can't wait to get rid of them.

I loved this time of night, how everything softened and lost the hard edges of day, and how, if the wind moved just right, the live oaks would murmur tender green words across the shadowy lawn. Sitting with a book in the warm circle of light from the table lamp had become my favorite way to end the day.

But if you have so much fun, then why don't you get together more than once a month?' She looked at me like a wise old owl and winked. 'Do something too often and it stops being special.

Don't grow up too fast, Darling. Age is inevitable, but if you nurture a childlike heart, you'll never, ever grow old.

Sometimes it's not what we hold on to that shapes our lives--it's what we're willing to let go of.