“Smiling at death seems like a pretty bold act. And so I smile like a damned fool.”

“What matters most, is not how my end happens, or if it happens now. What I care about in this instant, is that she knows how much I love herthat I lived long enough to have her love me back.”

“I'd die of a broken heart before breaking yours.”

“Home is the place that expects the most of you, but still welcomes you at your worst. And she has always been my home, my Merminia.”

“No. Your thoughts are what make you. But your body isn't a meaningless thing either. Call me strange, but I think only the person you love the most should see you like that. And not here--in an ugl...”

“Nobody wants to admit that mermaids who survive the dangers of the ocean can still be defeated by their own pain." He links his fingers through mine. He squeezes my hand until I look back. "A merma...”

“I have given my word that only death will take me from you.”

“If we stood close to each other, side by side, as true brothers and sisters, then evil would not know how to stand between us.”

“Yet even in the loneliness of the canyon I knew there were others like me who had brothers they did not understand but wanted to help. We are probably those referred to as "our brother's keepers," ...”

“work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it.”

“Happiness [is] only real when shared”

“That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable.”

“every time God forgives us, God is saying that God's own rules do not matter as much as the relationship that God wants to create with us.”

“I've never heard anyone say "I wish I hadn't forgiven.”

“We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness an...”