Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life is a powerful memoir written by Delia Ephron.

It’s easy to get caught up in her life, her story, and then feel a bit in-awe of being granted permission to come along for this roller-coaster of a ride. Incredible highs to despairing lows, and through it all — love and hope. 

Here are a few of my favorite passages:

“Writing taught me who I was, because your writing is your fingerprint. When I began to do it, I heard my own voice, my own observations, my own stories, my own gifts.” 

“I think about it all the time. Sometimes very consciously, and sometimes it’s just fluttering in the back of things. For me, that is the most stunning thing about remission — the glorious sense that I have been given back life coupled with the terrible fear that death is behind the next lamppost. This gift could be snuffed out at any moment.”

“… but my relationship to the world has changed. It’s as if I’ve been knocked on the head. I look the same, I think, although there is uncertainty in my reflection that wasn’t there before. Would anyone else notice that? I’m not sure. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally wobbly.”

“Over the years I have seen many people on Tenth Street with rollators and walkers. Old people. Sick people. I have felt sorry for them. I used to look away. I regret, am even appalled, by my previous lack of admiration and empathy. Now I am feeble and they are looking at me, or avoiding looking at me. I have to summon my nerve. I have to ‘own’ it. If you see my vulnerability, I force myself to think, well, I hope you respect my bravery.”

“With transplants, he can follow his patients for years. He is very busy researching cures and saving lives, yet he finds time to read my novel Siracusa. He knows who I am. Not simply because he reengineered my bone marrow. He takes the trouble to know my brain and heart.”

“Everywhere I go, I get greeted with happiness and cheers for my bravery. It’s lovely but I don’t think I was brave. I was a captive on a no-exit journey. One way only. And, simply, I was fortunate that I didn’t die. I got my disease at a time of scientific discovery. I had great medicine and great love.”

Please note: I am including a link to buy the book that I’m highlighting this week. If you use my link, I do make a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. I am working with Bookshop.org which also sends a portion of the profit to support local, independent bookstores.