How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
I don't have to pretend to write to Mr. Henshaw anymore. I have learned to say what I think on a piece of paper. (39.1)
Leigh has kept at his writing, despite grumbling about it in the beginning. He's gotten to the point where it's coming naturally and isn't such a struggle.
Quote #5
"You know," said Mom, "whenever I watch the waves, I always feel that no matter how bad things seem, life will still go on." That was how I felt, too, only I wouldn't have known how to say it. (39.21)
Aren't moms great? They can express things we don't have words for and make us feel all safe and good. Here, Mom's pointing out one of the ways she copes with life when it's difficult. The waves are always there and watching them gives Mom a big-picture perspective that gets her through the day-to-day hassles.
Quote #6
I thought of Dad up in the mountains chaining up eight heavy wheels in the snow, and I thought of Mom squirting deviled crab into hundreds of little cream puff shells and making billions of tiny sandwiches for golfers to gulp and wondering if Catering by Katy would be able to pay her enough to make the rent. (40.12)
Both parents have good work ethics and are role models for Leigh in persevering even when the going gets tough.