Cancer is a growth hormone for empathy, and empathy makes us useful to each other in ways we were not, could not have been, before.
Kelly CorriganRead
We'll bury our mothers and fathers - shuttling our children off for sleepovers, jumping on red-eyes, telling eachother stories that hurt to hear, about gasping, agonal breaths, hospice nurses, scars and bruises and scabs, and how skin papers shortly after a person passes. We will nod in agreement that it is as much an honor to witness a person leave this world as it is to watch a person come into it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the bittersweet cycle of life, acknowledging both the pain of losing loved ones and the honor of witnessing their journey.
In this poignant quote, Kelly Corrigan explores the inevitable experience of loss and the intertwined nature of life and death. She illustrates the emotional toll that comes with losing our parents while also recognizing the profound honor it is to witness both the arrival and departure of a soul. The imagery evokes a sense of shared human experience, highlighting how deeply we connect through grief and remembrance, ultimately suggesting that both ends of life are sacred moments deserving of reflection and respect.
Themes
LifeDeathGriefLossHonorFamily
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared at a memorial to honor the deceased and comfort the grieving family.
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