I think my Mama and Savannah must be special people in the Lord's eyes, as they have gone about doing generous and loving things without even a second thought. For me, it seems like the only thing that comes natural is aggravation and hard word

— Nancy E. Turner

I told Mama and Savannah about Ruben's proposal. That got us to talking about marriage, and we laughed and cried some, and missed Papa, and it felt good to belong to each other. I don't feel as lonely today as I have in months. At least I know there are other women around me.

— Nancy E. Turner

It seems as if I can only think if I write my journal, it just connects the part of my head that is busy doing things with the part that is busy thinking about everything else. I know all these people are so busy because they love each other and me. We are a noisy crowd of love

— Nancy E. Turner

Living is getting knocked downtime and again, then standing up time and again, and once more. It's easy to act honorable when things are coming along and all your pastures are green. Plenty difficult when the ground is dried and burned and people have connived to take even that from you. I'll sell this place, or I'll lose it. I'll go on. People who don't have hard times aren't living.

— Nancy E. Turner

Mama said it's probably because of Suzanne, and that you are never the same after a child dies. That made me wonder what she was like before Clover died, because I don't think I really knew my own mother until I had children, and if she was different before, I don't remember.

— Nancy E. Turner

Mama told me to make a special point to remember the best times of my life. There are so many hard things to live through, and latching on to the good things will give you strength to endure, she says. So I must remember this day. It is beautiful and this seems like the best time to live and the best place

— Nancy E. Turner

One thing I know from living with Jack is that war, any war, stains a man deep, and nothing can get the stain out. They can wear clothes like a rancher or a banker, but the stains are under there, never far from the surface of their skin.

— Nancy E. Turner

The best thing a girl can be is a good wife and mother. It is a girl's highest calling. I hope I am ready.

— Nancy E. Turner

Was he handsome?" she asked with a sly smirk." Very. He is still, I think."" The devil, they say, goes about in finery."" And if you believe Beelzebub is as cunning as he is attractive, then I think we have found him.

— Nancy E. Turner

We are a noisy and blessed little family

— Nancy E. Turner