When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out…
““When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out softly, “What are days of auld lang syne, Pa?” “They are the days of a long time ago, Laura,” Pa said. “Go to sleep, now.” But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa’s fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods. She looked at Pa sitting on the bench by the hearth, the firelight gleaming on his brown hair and beard and glistening on the honey-brown fiddle. She looked at Ma, gently rocking and knitting. She thought to herself, “This is now.” She was glad that the cosy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Living fully in the present makes past memories vivid and prevents them from fading into distant nostalgia.
In simple terms: Embrace the now.
Key Takeaway
Focus on present moments to keep memories alive.
Themes
mindfulness
nostalgia
presence
Mood
calm
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- quiet evenings
- reflective walks
- storytelling
Key Concepts
temporal perception
memory formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What present moment can you fully savor today?
- How does acknowledging now affect your view of the past?
A Different Perspective
The past can dominate thoughts, causing anxiety about future or regret.