How to Hang a Witch

Almost everything worth believing in cannot be seen. Love, for instance.

Sometimes you do things because you believe in a person, and not because you believe in everything they do.

The air's crisp with the smell of autumn, and the first few leaves have started to change color. The streets have that family-friendly feel. Store windows already have pumpkins and witches' hats in them.

When change cometh, she will bring peace at her back. She will not bend to your will; you must bend to hers.

People believe a lot of weird stuff in Salem.

It’s not like they exactly agreed. They’re just kinda silent about the whole thing,” I say. “Group silence can be a death sentence. It was in Salem,” he says.

If a man fears dogs, he may beat one with a stick when he sees it. As is the nature of all creatures, that dog will bite him. And then he may tell everyone that he was right about dogs, that they are evil. But I ask you, who is at fault in this scenario, the man or the dog?

My dad always says that you don't get to choose what happens in the world, only how you react to it.

You see, 'witch' is merely a title. It is not the title that is inherited bad but the people who decide what that title means.

But sometimes people need to be believed in more than they need to be told what is so.

Where once witchcraft accusations were the norm, bullying has taken its place. And just as during the Trials, it's not always the usual suspects who get bullied; it can happen to anyone for any reason. But the only way it happens is if the community supports it. Group agreement and group silence are equally as deadly. The moment someone speaks up, it's possible to stop that cycle. It's not the easiest thing to do, but greatness is never without risk. And there is nothing greater in the whole world than kindness - kindness to someone being bullied, kindness to a stranger, kindness to an inured animal. Every act counts.

You have more power than you know, Samantha. You just have to be brave enough to realize it.

I followed the spiked iron fence around the church, 'First Church in Salem, Founded in 1629', the sign reads. The fence ends, and there's a big wooden trellis covered in vines.

ee cummings, “I carry your heart; I carry it in my heart.

Seriously, no. Go be weird somewhere else.” I want people to stop hating me, not treat me like a sideshow.

You are strong and stubborn. You risk everything for the people you love. And more important, you are kind to the ones you do not.

To really care for another is a reason to live. When that beauty was blotted out of my world, I no longer wanted to be in it.

..Abigail's singing while I painted. How we laughed so when no one was watching. And how finding a black-eyed Susan tucked into my business contracts reminded me of why I was doing that business in the first place. To really care for another is a reason to live.

Group silence can be a death sentence. It was in Salem [1692].

Usually when I have a bad day like this, I put on my jams, get in bed with some mint chocolate chip ice cream, and watch funny movies until I feel better.

When change cometh, she will bring peace at her back.

Principal Brennan examines the writing. “I’ve read the reports from your school in New York. This is a bad start to the year, Samantha.

No one kills themselves because they are happy where they are.

Group silence can be a death sentence.