"Death," she said, "is not an easy thing for anyone to understand, least of all a child, but every life shall one day end." She looked now at Ulysses. "That day came for your father two years ago." She looked back at Bess and Mary. "But as long as we are alive," she said, "as long as we are together, as long as two of us are left, and remember him, nothing in the world can take him from us. His body can be taken, but not him. You shall know your father better as you grow and know yourself better," she said. "He is not dead because you are alive. Time and accident, illness and weariness took away his body, but already you have given it back to him, younger and more eager than ever. I don't expect you to understand anything I'm telling you. But I know you will remember this- that nothing good ever ends. If it did, there would be no people in the world - no life at all, anywhere. And the world is full of people and full of wonderful life."

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taken from the Human Comedy by William Saroyan

in Slapstick Vonnegut mentions one Bobby and Betty Brown, two individuals when put together create a genius, a massive brain dancing and laughing all through the night, delicate and nervous (i wish i had more time to explore), and when they are torn apart, they are shells of their former selves.

as evidenced in what she says to dear Bobby, i feel exactly as such:
"Who on earth would love you Bobby Brown?"

i'm going to miss starfish a lot. i hope her nametag pinned on my shirt and this fake mustache will make her laugh. that's all i've wanted for her this entire week. worry-free laughter, however slight, however innocuous, the best parts being when her entire face lights up like the moon.