Quotes from Dorothea Benton Frank

Yes, but you have to remember what the essence of prayer is supposed to be. It's not just about begging God to give us what we want. Prayer is supposed to be conversation with God. If it's true that God has a plan for each of us, and I believe He does or I wouldn't be sitting here—

better than that. In the end desperate calls to God might not change the outcome, but they might change

Something in me had changed when Archie asked me if I wanted Sharon's cats. I thought then that if I didn't start saying what it was that I wanted, I shouldn't expect to get it. Archie got so off base about me because I let him be so off base about me. I was never clear.

Eah. Great Gullah word, versatile like anything. It means here, yes, right now, do you hear me, isn't it so, don't you agree and just about anything you want it to.

Laughter came easily. Kindness was in abundance. And we had a lot in common. Not to mention no small amount of heat for each other.

This was love, and I was astonished by its power.

Yeah, well my walking body abandoned me and flew south

Arthur Aron, PhD, for his marvelous research into how and why people fall in love and how to expedite the process using his thirty-six questions, which went viral after they were mentioned in an essay in the New York Times. I even have the app. What a world.

But it was more than that and her fried chicken. Her passion for righteousness was stronger than our frenzy.

I just really thought children needed to believe in something greater than themselves. Everyone did. If they could manage it, that is.

good manners are the moisturizer of life.

Everyone was happy. That may seem to be an overly simplistic way to state the very complicated facts, but it was the truth. That happiness was so hard won. I had scars to prove it. We all did.

The colors are a little brighter. The air is a little sweeter. Jokes are funnier, love runs deeper, and life overall is richer.

Remember Tolstoy? He said something pretty clever. He said, "One can no more approach people without love than one can approach bees without care." Wouldn't the world be a better place if we took that tiny bit of advice?

knowing who you were and where you belonged was one component of good mental health.

MORNING LIGHT BROUGHT the sound of Livvie' s voice raised in yet another song I'd never heard. From down in the yard the deep velvety sound grew like the glow of a warm fire as she approached the house.   "Free at last! Free at last! Thank Gawd I free at last! Way down yonder in the graveyard walk, gone meet my Jesus and we gone talk, On my knees when the light pass by, thought my soul would rise and fly!

At her funeral service, our family's reverend reminded me that "I feel great loss because I had great love." Nothing could be more true, because that is the price of great love.

our world, women took care of everything, especially each other, and the art of making each other look good was something that gave us great joy and satisfaction. Lesson one of adulthood was putting the needs or even just the wishes of others before your own and then taking pleasure in making them come to pass.

Ah, Krispy Kreme. Every girl should have a guilty pleasure, no matter her age.

Work hard, love hard, be generous, be thoughtful, be brave, and know the value of sharing a great story, especially if it makes you laugh.

Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Acknowledgements One - Richard Two - Miss Lavinia Would Like to Have a Word with You Three - Make No Misteak!

have meant anything to anyone except me. So what?

the standing crown roast of pork was done and the pies were ready to bake. Mashed potatoes were whipped into thick ribbons of creamy silk. The casserole of sausage dressing was steaming, the cranberry mold jiggled, peas and carrots were mixed together

Love. It mystically transcended death. It healed hearts. It changed thoughts. And when you met it head-on, it gave you courage in return.