Keep us close," he said. "Keep us alive. Don't ever let us disappear.
-- Luke (Joanna paragraph 1)

Importance: Joanna started to keep her notebook at the urging of her husband, Luke, who was terminally ill. He wanted to be kept alive in her memory and she promised she would keep the diary for him and she continues the practice with everyone she helps transition in the hospice center.

The longest and most expensive journey you will ever make is the one to yourself.
-- Joanna (Joanna paragraph 2)

Importance: To Joanna, it is important to capture the essence of people in her diary but she struggles with trying to make sense of the random pattern of her own life. But all the events and things that happen to you are part of your story that lead up to fully understanding who you are.

People get old, but in the eyes they might as well be eight--always they are about eight--and so...
-- Sadie (Sadie paragraph 3)