Skip to content

What I mean to say is, we had been considerable. Had been…

“What I mean to say is, we had been considerable. Had been loved. Not lonely, not lost, not freakish, but wise, each in his or her own way. Our departures caused pain. Those who had loved us sat upon their beds, heads in hand; lowered their faces to tabletops, making animal noises. We had been…” quote by George Saunders
Download Open image
““What I mean to say is, we had been considerable. Had been loved. Not lonely, not lost, not freakish, but wise, each in his or her own way. Our departures caused pain. Those who had loved us sat upon their beds, heads in hand; lowered their faces to tabletops, making animal noises. We had been loved, I say, and remembering us, even many years later, people would smile, briefly gladdened at the memory.””

George Saunders

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People feel deep love and loss, and in memory they bring brief joy, yet also sorrow.

In simple terms: Love and loss linger, prompting bittersweet remembrance.

Key Takeaway

Cherish connections, accept grief’s complexity.

Themes

love loss memory humanity

Mood

nostalgic melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • funeral
  • anniversary
  • reunion
  • personal memoir

Key Concepts

existential reflection emotional depth

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does remembering a loved one teach you?
  • How do you balance joy and grief?
A Different Perspective

Memories can both heal and reopen wounds.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by George Saunders

Explore all 690 George Saunders quotes

More Remembering quotes

Browse all 1,007 Remembering quotes