When I wasn't looking...

"I'm an orphan myself.. my father died when I was very young and my mother passed away from cancer 3 years ago. A few months later, I realized I had to stop feeling sorry for myself and try to help others. After all, there are many people who lost their parents at a much younger age."

"wow..." I say rather lamely.

"You know what though?" Amanda asks. "Children are really strong. They can move on and they can see things for what they really are. Judy once told me that if she never lost her parents, she would never have met me or her other friends...."