The Birds and the Bees

The Secret Life of Bees is a book written by Sue Monk Kidd that was made into a movie a few years ago. Race relations rock this touching novel, and it's full of poignant quotes...

"I have noticed that if you look carefully at people's eyes the first five seconds they look at you, the truth of their feelings will shine through for just an instant before it flickers away." Why is it so easy for some to hide from their true feelings, and why do they feel they cannot share what those feelings are?

"The hardest thing on earth is choosing what matters." Why is it so difficult to know the right thing to do? And why is it that what matters today may not matter so much tomorrow, but I can't seem to see past right now?

"The body knows things a long time before the mind catches up to them. I was wondering what my body knew that I didn't." This couldn't be more accurate. Months later and every time I see him, or think about him, my body is on fire.

"There's nothing like a song about lost love to remind you how everything precious can slip from the hinges where you've hung it so careful." Do What You Have To Do by Sarah McLachlan

"I can't think of anything I'd rather have more than somebody lovin' me." Isn't that what we all want, ultimately? "And when you get down to it...that is the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to love but to persist in love." And "you gotta imagine what's never been."

But I can only be me. "Don't sort-of-maybe live, but live like you're going all out, like you're not afraid." I have to know that I gave everything I had, to everyone who ever meant anything to me, and I have to be content in that knowledge and accept that the rest is not up to me. I need "for someone to see the hurt done to them and set it down like it matters."

"There is nothing perfect...only life." But I do believe in perfect moments...on a beach with my Caribbean boyfriend looking up at the moon on a cloudless night, falling asleep on Lizard's chest after the most incredible passion, or having a child crawl into your lap to tell you that they are sorry you are sad.

"Miss May, I know you get real sad sometimes. My Daddy, he never feels, he never felt anything. I'd rather be like you."