Quotes About Vulnerability

The truly sinister possibility is that for many of us, all the little measures we take to remain fit—all the deprivations and exertions—will only lead to a longer chance to live with crippling and humiliating disabilities.

People were harder than horses. They hid their feeling. Or shut them off. (pg. 116)

That's the damn thing about falling in love with your second-in-command," and resumed his stride up to the balcony with its row of arched doors, Starhawk unsmiling at his heels. "They are with you too long and they know you too well.

I've always found people love you best if you can laugh at your own foolish misfortunes and keep mum about everyone else's

This is what it means to be alone: everyone is connected to everyone else, their bodies are a bright liquid life flowing around you, sharing a single heart that drives them to move all together. If the shark comes they will all escape, and leave you to be eaten.

People love to believe in danger, as long as it's you in harm's way, and them saying bless your heart.

An older boy that never knew safety himself, trying to make us feel safe.

And you came over to make sure I was all right, is that what you're telling me? You came over here with your shotgun to protect me from my scarecrow? I had to, Garnett said, spreading his hands, throwing himself on her mercy. I didn't care for the way Buddy was looking at you in your short pants.

Alice hands Annawake a handkerchief. Young people never carry them, she's noticed. They haven't yet learned that heartbreak can catch up to you on any given day.

I was so depressed I stopped using hair spray for three weeks.

Without shelter, we stand in daylight.

that mothers' and daughters' hearts can be crushed so repeatedly without learning to defend themselves.

Carlo is safe because I don't really love him that much. If he stopped wanting me around one day, it wouldn't be so terrible. I wouldn't die. Hallie, I realize how that sounds. I feel small and ridiculous and hemmed in on every side by the need to be safe. All I want is to be like you, to walk into a country of chickens and land mines and call that home, and have it be home. How do you just charge ahead, always doing the right thing, even if you have to do it alone with people staring?

My heart had grown older, with more in it to break.

Except for her weak foundation. The ruin of many a girl, I guess.

To stand in the clear light of day, you once said. Unsheltered.

Her every possession was either unbreakable, or broken.

The moral of his story was how you never know the size of hurt that's in people's hearts, or what they're liable to do about it, given the chance.

A kid is a terrible thing to be, in charge of nothing.

She wondered if humiliation ever ran its natural course and peeled off, like a sunburn, or just kept blazing.

If you're surprised a mom would discuss boyfriend hotness with a kid still learning not to pick his nose, you've not seen the far end of lonely.

Good people, bad people, what does that even mean? Get down to the rock and the hard place, and we're all just soft flesh and the weapon at hand.

If you're surprised a mom would discuss boyfriend hotness with a kid still learning not to pick his nose, you've not see the far end of lonely.

She had already grabbed him under his soggy armpits and was struggling him up the bank toward the flat ground of her front orchard. He had never felt her touch or her grip before and was shocked by this little woman's strength. He tried to help with his useless legs, but he felt as if he were participating in the sport of alligator wrestling and knew, with a sinking heart, that he was the alligator.