She "hoped love would rescue her- and then hoped for "nothing at a!.
ll in the way of love, so as not to be disappointed- (117; ch.11). Running from her problems, she constantly searched for something better rather than accepting the fact that the grass in Grace was the perfect shade of green. .
Regardless of her 6-foot tall stature, Codi was unable to reach her dreams without the support and guidance of her friends and family. The realization of Codi's dreams began when it occurred to her that life and love are not destinations, but journeys through events both good and bad. Her return to Grace commenced the ultimate reconstruction of Codi's trust, faith, hope, and heart. She found herself "walking through a neighborhood that wanted to pull [her] into it- (291; ch.23). Much to her surprise, she discovered that she had roots in Grace and that her family did have a history within the community. For the first time in her life, Codi realized Grace was a place she could call home. .
Her reunion with Loyd opened her eyes to the beauty that she possessed within and that surrounded her both in nature and in her neighbors. He helped her to unleash her ability to love others, even at the risk of possibly getting hurt. Codi's reactions of flight only exacerbated the distance between herself and her dreams of feeling at home not only with others, but with herself. Her loving sister, Hallie, offered guidance, advice, and friendship that gave Codi the final push into reality that she so desperately needed. With Hallie's passing, Codi realized that she did in fact have "family to absorb the loss- (309; ch.25). With a baby expected, Codi finally achieved closure regarding the loss of her mother while glowing with a sense of newly found hope and acceptance. No longer was Codi "blinded- from the fact that she was loved and accepted by her "fifty mothers- and the entire community of Grace.