I can stay in the slow lane, just keep rollin' on down that hill, gathering moss and cobwebs until finally, when I come to a stop, i'm so covered in crap, I'm unrecognizable.
-- Anna (chapter 1)

Importance: This is the first time Anna gives us insight into how she sees her Alzheimer’s and how she compares it with her mother’s. Through this metaphor, Anna shows us that she feels a lack of control in her situation, and how she desperately wants to gain it back. She does not want to be unrecognizable, like her mother became, but wants to go with dignity. This, also, shows how she views her diagnosis; with the little hope. This initial reflection changes through the novel, but it is important to keep in mind how she originally thought about it.

You never know, young lady,' he says. 'Maybe you will.
-- Bert (chapter 2)

Importance: This line foreshadows the romantic...