“I wonder how you’re supposed to know the exact moment when there’s no more hope.”

“The cruelest thing you can do to a person who’s living in panic is to offer him or her hope that turns out false. When the crash comes its intolerable.”

“Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious, to believe that the world could still change for the better. And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly cold that one is tempted to say, ‘What do I care if there is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.’ Yes, evil often seems to surpass good. But then, in spite of us, and without our permission, there comes at last an end to the bitter frosts. One morning the wind turns, and there is a thaw. And so I must still have hope.”

“To hope under the most extreme circumstances is an act of defiance that permits a person to live his life on his own terms. It is part of the human spirit to endure and give a miracle a chance to happen.”

“In some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty. ”

“Behind us, the man laughed. “Looks like we aren’t the only ones looking for a little diversion. There’s an empty office right over there, guys.” Marsten raised his hand in thanks. The couple moved on. I let the kiss continue for five more seconds, then pulled away. “They’re gone,” I said. Marsten frowned, as if surprised-and disappointed-that I’d noticed. I tugged my hair from his hands. “Okay, coast clear,” I said. “Let’s go.” He let out a small laugh. “I see I need to brush up on my kissing.” “No, you have that down pat.” “She says with all the excitement of a teacher grading a math quiz…” “A-plus. Now let’s move. Before someone else comes along.”

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”

“If you lose all hope, you can always find it again.”

“You’ll be okay. No matter what shape reality takes, you can handle it.”

“Life isn’t just about darkness or light, rather it’s about finding light within the darkness.”

“We can be friends. We can be anything we want to be.”

“What hurts so bad about youth isn’t the actual butt whippings the world delivers. It’s the stupid hopes playacting like certainties.”

“All cannot be lost when there is still so much being found”

“God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right, even though I think it is hopeless.”

“I want to be the best version of myself for anyone who is going to someday walk into my life and need someone to love them beyond reason.”