I know now one must plan one’s old age as surely as one plans any other stage of life. The tragedy of Cousin Josie’s life is that she never knew what she wanted at any age – only what she did not want. She never wanted to marry nor to pursue a career, and in life, unlike grammar, double negatives do not produce an affirmative.

Life causes estrangement enough – why do we add to it out of misplaced pride?

But a piece of paper can be a powerful presence. I have always had enormous respect for the written word and invariably find a letter more revealing than a face-to-face conversation. In a strange way I suspect I will get to know you better at a distance than I would if you had stayed at home...

There is nothing like champagne to ensure sweet dreams.

Though my own life is filled with activity, letters encourage momentary escape into other lives, and I come back to my own with greater contentment.

We are all so much more complicated than we allow ourselves to appear.

Whenever life gets to be too much for me, I have a hard time keeping my eyes open. Sleeping is cheaper and safer than drinking. It keeps you from saying or doing things you’ll regret later, and though you may have nightmares, you won’t wake up with a hangover. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Time is a cruel thief to rob us of our former selves. We lose as much to life as we do to death.

..the alchemy of grief transforms the most awkward phrases into sentiments of purest gold..

Sometimes being a good mother gets in the way of being a good person.