The reality of heaven doesn't take away the pain of or suffering or our losses, but it assures us that our pain is temporary.

I've come to realize that real growth of character takes place in the valleys of life.

When I broke my arm, I knew there was something a lot bigger than baseball (about to happen) ... I had a sense that God had something for me, something bigger than baseball.

I have learned that God’s silence to my questions is not a door slammed in my face. I may not have the answers—but I do have him.

Do not deny the impact your life can have on others.

As time passes, my story fades away.

I never want to change so much that people can't recognize me.

Joy multiplies when it is shared among friends, but grief diminishes with every division. That is life.

I have been like a mediocre concert pianist playing in front of a tone-deaf family, who applaud out of duty rather than for accomplishment.

The singing of sea shanties as working songs at sea is a lost art

I just sit down at the piano and rattle it off.

They say there are only two kinds of people on St. Patrick's Day: the Irish, and the people that drive them home.

The pleasure of one's effect on other people still exists in age - what's called making a hit. But the hit is much rarer and made of different stuff.

All governments are, to a certain extent, a treaty with the Devil.

I was so ugly that my parents sent my picture to 'ripley's believe it or not' - they sent it back and said, "we don't believe it."

Just another four-letter word.