For some reason I’m often inclined to contemplate quotations on Sunday afternoon. This one is from Laura McBride’s wonderful novel, We Are Called to Rise.

We are inside the point of view of one of the characters. She grew up in deep poverty and managed to eke out a happy, middle-class life for herself. Now, in middle age, she sees it all beginning to disintegrate:

It all matters. That someone turns out the lamp, picks up the windblown wrapper, says hello to the invalid, pays at the unattended lot, listens to the repeated tale, folds the abandoned laundry, plays the game fairly, tells the story honestly, acknowledges help, gives credit, says good night, resists temptation, wipes the counter, waits at the yellow, makes the bed, tips the maid, remembers the illness, congratulates the victor, accepts the consequences, takes a stand, steps up, offers a hand, goes first, goes last, chooses the small portion, teaches the child, tends to the dying, comforts the grieving, removes the splinter, wipes the tear, directs the lost, touches the lonely, is the whole thing.

Words to savor.