The story's moral? You may have plenty of time to cross off your bucket list's items, but please do not wait for 'some day' to accomplish any of them. Because you can never tell when your time is up, be a bit more urgent and fuel your desire to DO it. While you can, squeeze the most out of life.
It is difficult to understand the sum of a person's life. Some people will tell you it is measured by the ones left behind. Some believe it can be measured in faith. Some say by love. Other folks say life has no meaning at all. I believe that you measure yourself by the people who measured themselves by you. (Carter)
- Thomas: What are you doing here?
- Carter: Fighting for my life.
- Dr. Hollins: How are you doing?
- Edward: Dumb question.
As something of an expert in diseases, I believe more people die from visitors than diseases. (Edward)
- Carter: How do you plan on kissing the most beautiful woman?
- Edward: Volume.
(In other words, if he kisses enough women, the prettiest will be among them!)
- Carter: I wanted to be a history professor... I made it through two months of City College before Virginia gave me the news. And then... you know; young, black, broke, baby on the way. Take the first decent job that comes along. I always meant to go back. Forty-five years goes by pretty fast.
- Edward: Like smoke through a keyhole.
What does a snail have to do to reincarnate? Leave the perfect trail of slime? (Edward)
The only successful marriage I had was me and my work. (Edward)
We live, we die, and the wheels on the bus go round and round. (Edward)
If life has taught me anything, it's that 95 percent of the people are always wrong. (Edward)
- Edward: I envy people who have faith, I just cannot get my head around it.
- Carter: Maybe because your head is in the way.
You know, the ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not. "Have you found joy in your life?" "'Has your life brought joy to others?" (Carter)
- Edward (about his daughter and her husband): First time he hit her, she came to me. I wanted to bash his brains in. She would not let me. Said she loved him, said it was not his fault, he had had a few drinks... she was the one who picked the fight. The next time it happened, she did not come to me. The ex told me. Nice to hear her voice again.
- Carter: What did you do?
- Edward: What any father would do. I took care of it. I called a guy who called a guy who handles these kinds of things. I do not know what he said, do not know what he did... All I know is he did not kill him. And my daughter never heard from him again.
- Carter: How did she react?
- Edward: Called me names you would not believe, and worse... said I was dead to her.
Three things to remember when you get older: never pass up a bathroom, never waste a hard-on, and never trust a fart. (Edward)
- Thomas: I am proud of you.
- Edward: Nobody cares what you think.
- Carter: What are you so afraid of?
- Edward: Just because I told you my story, does not invite you to be a part of it!
- Carter: Everyone is afraid to die alone.
- Edward: I am not everyone. This was supposed to be fun. That is all it ever was.
(Carter lets Edward know that his favorite drink has its unique flavor and aroma after going through a cat's digestive system.)- Edward: You are shitting me.- Carter: Cats beat me to it!
Dear Edward, I have gone back and forth the last few days trying to decide whether or not I should even write this. In the end, I realized I would regret it if I did not, so here it goes. I know the last time we saw each other, we were not exactly hitting the sweetest notes. It was certainly not the way I wanted the trip to end. I suppose I am responsible, and for that, I am sorry. But in all honestly, if I had the chance, I would do it again. Virginia said I left a stranger and came back a husband; I owe that to you. There is no way I can repay you for all you have done for me, so rather than try, I am just going to ask you to do something else for me - find the joy in your life. You once said you are not everyone. Well, that is true - you are certainly not everyone, but everyone is everyone. My pastor always says our lives are streams flowing into the same river towards whatever heaven lies in the mist beyond the falls. Find the joy in your life, Edward. My dear friend, close your eyes and let the waters take you home. (Caster in his letter to Edward)
The simplest thing is... I loved him. And I miss him. Carter and I saw the world together. Which is amazing... when you think that only three months ago, we were complete strangers! I hope that it does not sound selfish of me but... the last months of his life were the best months of mine. He saved my life... and he knew it before I did. I am deeply proud that this man found it worth his while to know me. In the end, I think it's safe to say that we brought some joy to one another's lives, so one day when I go to some final resting place, if I happen to wake up next to a certain wall with a gate, I hope that Carter is there to vouch for me and show me the ropes on the other side. (Edward speaking at Carter's funeral)
Edward Perryman Cole died in May. It was a Sunday in the afternoon and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. He was 81 years old. Even now I cannot understand the measure of a life, but I can tell you this. I know that when he died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open. And I am pretty sure he was happy with his final resting place because he was buried on the mountain. And that was against the law. (Carter about Edward)
Images and gifs credit: Original authors
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