For years Melody had been making the same wish on every birthday candle, eyelash, wishbone, and shooting star that came her way, and now it had finally come true.

I wish people used wishes to modify themselves instead of others. Wish to be low maintenance. Wish to be autonomous, even.

The cake had a trick candle that wouldn't go out, so I didn't get my wish. Which was just that it would always be like this, that my life could be a party just for me.

Michael, "I never expected the wish to come true."

The Trout, "Great Oceans! Why bother to wish it, then? I call that simply a waste of time.

[His last posting came on July 29, Jennings' birthday.] Many thanks to all of you for your birthday wishes, ... Your words -- as always -- are a great source of strength. I am celebrating today with my family -- we are all grateful.

We can't rightly ever talk about the future, if you think about it. We can only talk about what we imagine or wish for. It's not the same thing.