From Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

"...and even though her mind was soaring to infinite possibilities, his touch held her heart to the earth". 

"Don't ever be afraid to start over."

"To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake...

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. "

~Henry David Thoreau~

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning~

"Not every child has an equal talent or an equal ability or equal motivation, but children have the equal right to develop their talent, their ability, and their motivation."

John F. Kennedy

According to Edith Hamilton, Ovid wrote these words of Aphrodite to Adonis as he lay dying:

"Kiss me yet once again, the last, long kiss,

Until I draw your soul within my lips

And drink down all your love."

"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?

~Henry David Thoreau~

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again by Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise over again,

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch more with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.