Gloria Whelan

I find having your own car is like a passport to the world.

I looked forward to making friends at school, but I had come late and friendships had already been formed. I couldn__ find my way into their world. They seemed to have a secret code I couldn__ decipher.

Even our recreation was scheduled. There was no time to look for birds or wander into the nearby woods. We were put into teams and sent into violent pursuit of a helpless ball.

I couldn__ live with myself if I thought nothing could get better.

I liked having some time to myself. Our family was such a close one, you could get smothered. Of course, we didn't always agree with one another. Sometimes I quarreled with my brother and sisters, but I couldn't remember hating anyone for more than five minutes.

But will you not have a house to care for? Meals to cook? Children whining for this or that? Will you have time for the work?" "I'll make time," I promised. "The house will not always be so clean, the cooking may be a little hasty, and the whining children will sit on my lap and I'll sing to them while I work.

I thought I understood what was best. I knew too little and believed too soon.

But what doesn__ die is the love we give to others. There is no end to that.

You're making yourself too important. Guilt comes from feeling we're at the center of the universe. We're not.

I felt as if I had no control over what I said, as if loathsome, ugly words were waiting inside me like snakes and toads looking for a chance to sneak out before I could stop them.