Reynolds Price

Grieve for a decent limited time over whatever parts of your old self you know you'll miss. . . . Then stanch the grief, by whatever legal means. Next find your way to be somebody else, the next viable you--a stripped down whole other clear-eyed person, realistic as a sawed-off shotgun and thankful for air, not to speak of the human kindness you'll meet if you get normal luck.

— Reynolds Price