By protecting yourself, you may be lucky and never feel that kind of hurt again, but it’s doubtful. You can’t hide from it. Unfortunately, life is full of loss and hurt. It’s a never-ending cycle, and we can’t stop that. But by protecting yourself, you are shortchanging your own chances at true happiness. The ‘joy’ your mother wanted for you.

Ruby used to say that if a girl was really paying attention, all she’d need was one kiss to know if the man kissing her could actually make love to her soul for eternity.

To my mom for being the best role model, consistently instilling the priorities and values of what is truly important about Christmas – not the gifts and toys. Thanks, Mom, for the years of family gatherings, handmade gifts, traditions, and doing for others to refill the well during this season of joy, hope, and love. Merry Christmas.

Did you drag all these boxes out of the attic by yourself?” “No, the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny stopped by to help out. You just missed them.” Nothing wrong with her sense of humor.

Open your heart. Friendships and love require risk, but nothing is more precious. It’s worth it. I promise.

But the moment she stepped into the chapel, she felt as if someone had embraced her. Like a warm cloak had been wrapped around her that kept the sadness and worry that seemed to freeze her heart at just enough of a distance to let her breathe again.

Please. Take a seat.” If the Weather Channel was looking for tropical storm names, Joy had two to recommend. Lola and Richard.

You can’t have true love if you never let anyone get close.

It must be wonderful to have the imagination of a child.

And the fact that MacDonald-Webber gave every job a cutesy name didn’t help. Her executive position over “all things Christmas” had been tagged Red Suit Blitzen Bunch Lead.