I stare out the window and reflect on the similarity between writing and saving a life and the inevitable failure of one's imagination and one's goals and ambitions to create a character or a life worth saving.
Miriam ToewsRead
My father died beside trees on iron rails... He had 77 dollars on him at the time, and we used the money for Thai takeout because, as my friend Julie says about times like this, 'You still have to eat.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the passing of a loved one and the mundane realities that continue amidst grief.
Miriam Toews' quote poignantly captures the essence of grief intertwined with life’s everyday realities. Despite the deep sorrow of losing her father, the focus on using the limited money he had for a simple meal underscores the importance of continuing to live and care for oneself, highlighting how life goes on even in the face of loss. It also illustrates the juxtaposition of profound emotional moments with the mundane, reminding us that life is both heavy and ordinary at the same time.
Themes
GriefFamilyLossFoodLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a eulogy, to remind attendees that life continues despite sorrow.
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I had a thought, on the way home from the rock field, that the things we don't know about a person are the things that make them human, and it made me feel sad to think that, but sad in that reassuring way that some sadness has, a sadness that says welcome home in twelve different languages.
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