--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is it my dear?\" Ah, how can we bear…" description: "\"“What is it my dear?\" Ah, how can we bear it?\" Bear what?\" This. For so short a time. How can we sleep this time away?\" We can be quiet together, and p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/a-s-byatt-5275_away_what-is-it-my-dear-ah-how-can-we-bear-it_3041904.jpg" --- # What is it my dear?" Ah, how can we bear it?" Bear what?"… ![“What is it my dear?" Ah, how can we bear it?" Bear what?" This. For so short a time. How can we sleep this time away?" We can be quiet together, and pretend - since it is only the beginning - that we have all the time in the world." And every day we shall have less. And then none." Would you…” quote by A.S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/a-s-byatt-5275_away_what-is-it-my-dear-ah-how-can-we-bear-it_3041904.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/a-s-byatt-5275_away_what-is-it-my-dear-ah-how-can-we-bear-it_3041904.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a58/a-s-byatt-5275_away_what-is-it-my-dear-ah-how-can-we-bear-it_3041904.jpg) > ““What is it my dear?" Ah, how can we bear it?" Bear what?" This. For so short a time. How can we sleep this time away?" We can be quiet together, and pretend - since it is only the beginning - that we have all the time in the world." And every day we shall have less. And then none." Would you rather, therefore, have had nothing at all?" No. This is where I have always been coming to. Since my time began. And when I go away from here, this will be the mid-point, to which everything ran, before, and from which everything will run. But now, my love, we are here, we are now, and those other times are running elsewhere.”” [A.S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage reflects on the fleeting nature of time, love, and existence, urging acceptance of impermanence and the present moment. **In simple terms:** Life is brief; cherish now. Key Takeaway Embrace the present. Themes time love impermanence existence Mood melancholic contemplative Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - relationships - personal reflection - mindfulness - grief - legacy Key Concepts philosophy existentialism romanticism Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance present joy with future planning? - What does “mid-point” mean to you? A Different Perspective The quote idealizes the present, overlooking practical responsibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-away/) ## Related quotes > [“Randolph Henry Ash: “What is it? My dear?” Christabel LaMotte: “Ah, how can we bear it?” Randolph Henry Ash: “Bear what?” Christabel LaMotte: “This.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt/randolph-henry-ash-what-is-it-my-dear-christabel-lamotte-ah-how-can/) [A.S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt/) > [It was all so far away - there was quiet and an untouched feel to the country and I could work as I pleased.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/it-was-all-so-far-away-there-was-quiet-and-an-untouched-feel-to-the/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [“This is where I have always been coming to. Since my time began. 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