With her steady hand, she showed me how important it was to help others; with her patience and kindness she showed me what life is really about. Her cheerfulness and optimism, even in times of sickness, was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.

More from A Walk to Remember

• A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.
• A person's a person, no matter how small. Horton Hears a Who! (1954)
• Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.
• Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down.
• But mercy is above this sceptered sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute of God himself.
• What you have to understand is, four days ago he was only my brother in name. And this morning we had pancakes.