--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Tupac turned thirteen, we were…" description: "\"When Tupac turned thirteen, we were homeless on that day. His theater club gave him a party. Sometimes I do wonder that if I hadn't gone on with fool-h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6f/afeni-shakur-12962_art_when-tupac-turned-thirteen-we-were-homel_1904110.jpg" --- # When Tupac turned thirteen, we were homeless on that day… ![“When Tupac turned thirteen, we were homeless on that day. His theater club gave him a party. Sometimes I do wonder that if I hadn't gone on with fool-heartedness, my son would have had an easier transition into this life. But at least I was able to keep art there. Otherwise he would've had no way…” quote by Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6f/afeni-shakur-12962_art_when-tupac-turned-thirteen-we-were-homel_1904110.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6f/afeni-shakur-12962_art_when-tupac-turned-thirteen-we-were-homel_1904110.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6f/afeni-shakur-12962_art_when-tupac-turned-thirteen-we-were-homel_1904110.jpg) > “When Tupac turned thirteen, we were homeless on that day. His theater club gave him a party. Sometimes I do wonder that if I hadn't gone on with fool-heartedness, my son would have had an easier transition into this life. But at least I was able to keep art there. Otherwise he would've had no way to get his feelings out.” [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflects on how art and community support helped a young child cope with homelessness and trauma. **In simple terms:** Art gave a child a way to express feelings during hardship. Key Takeaway Use creative outlets to navigate tough times. Themes resilience art family homelessness trauma Mood reflective hopeful somber Type personal inspirational social. When to use this quote - homeless families - youth programs - parenting in crisis - art therapy - school clubs Key Concepts creative expression community support emotional coping Questions to Reflect On - How can communities provide more artistic safe spaces for at‑risk youth? - What role does parental involvement play in a child's emotional health? A Different Perspective Art alone cannot solve systemic poverty; broader support is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Homeless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homeless/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [Ronald Reagan gave our party a bowling alley image as opposed to a country club image. We were talking to people who go bowling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-du-pont/ronald-reagan-gave-our-party-a-bowling-alley-image-as-opposed-to-a/) [Pete du Pont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-du-pont/) > [“ October's Party October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came - The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-cooper/october-s-party-october-gave-a-party-the-leaves-by-hundreds-came-the/) [George Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-cooper/) > [“Maybe we'll have more fun this summer but this particular fun is over. I want it to die violently instead of fading out sentimentally--…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/maybe-we-ll-have-more-fun-this-summer-but-this-particular-fun-is-over/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [“Her most recent birthday. She’d just turned thirteen. But not last December—December 17, 1941, the last day she had lived in New Orleans.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/her-most-recent-birthday-she-d-just-turned-thirteen-but-not-last/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“It’s just you, your homework, and the homework room. All. Day. Long. I turned thirteen in that room. Winter ended, and then spring came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/it-s-just-you-your-homework-and-the-homework-room-all-day-long-i/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“When he saw Tyler, his face went serious, which struck me as comical. Andy had always been protective, but when it came to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-kirby/when-he-saw-tyler-his-face-went-serious-which-struck-me-as-comical/) [Jessi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-kirby/) > [When I turned thirteen and took a typing class, with typical early teen enthusiasm and total lack of critical ability, I started sending my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwood-smith/when-i-turned-thirteen-and-took-a-typing-class-with-typical-early/) [Sherwood Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwood-smith/) > [When I turned thirteen, I moved up to the junior bull scale. They didn't really classify them by how big they were but how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-bingham/when-i-turned-thirteen-i-moved-up-to-the-junior-bull-scale-they-didn/) [Ryan Bingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-bingham/) > [My Francine just turned thirteen, she's my angelic teenage queen. And I love her, she's all that I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zz-top-21087/my-francine-just-turned-thirteen-she-s-my-angelic-teenage-queen-and-i/) ZZ Top > [Education is huge for me. I went to public school until I turned thirteen, and was lucky enough to afford college once I became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-stiles/education-is-huge-for-me-i-went-to-public-school-until-i-turned-2/) [Julia Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-stiles/) > [Whatever else anyone says he was, he may have been. But Tupac really was a great American artist. The passage of time allows us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/whatever-else-anyone-says-he-was-he-may-have-been-but-tupac-really/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I think people have gotten to know Tupac much better since he's been gone than they did when he was here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-think-people-have-gotten-to-know-tupac-much-better-since-he-s-been/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I made out with a homeless guy by accident. I had no idea -- he was really tan, he had no shoes on. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-schumer/i-made-out-with-a-homeless-guy-by-accident-i-had-no-idea-he-was/) [Amy Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-schumer/) > [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [There's no reason someone who has fought for their country should be homeless of jobless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/there-s-no-reason-someone-who-has-fought-for-their-country-should-be/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) ## More by Afeni Shakur > [That's what people are who have that impact on us. They are ahead of their time. They can't help it. They get put into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/that-s-what-people-are-who-have-that-impact-on-us-they-are-ahead-of/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I'm not a filmmaker. I'm not a music producer by choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-m-not-a-filmmaker-i-m-not-a-music-producer-by-choice/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I believe it is our responsibility to make sure that Tupac's entire body of work is made available for his fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-believe-it-is-our-responsibility-to-make-sure-that-tupac-s-entire/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I think people have gotten to know Tupac much better since he's been gone than they did when he was here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-think-people-have-gotten-to-know-tupac-much-better-since-he-s-been/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I wake up every day and think everything sure is awful, but then I ask the Lord what I can do to make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-wake-up-every-day-and-think-everything-sure-is-awful-but-then-i-ask/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I miss my son every day a little bit more, but I thank God every day for every second that he was here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-miss-my-son-every-day-a-little-bit-more-but-i-thank-god-every-day/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [Whatever else anyone says he was, he may have been. But Tupac really was a great American artist. The passage of time allows us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/whatever-else-anyone-says-he-was-he-may-have-been-but-tupac-really/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I just need to do Pac's work. I just need to. Maybe because I'm a recovering addict, I'm obsessed like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-just-need-to-do-pac-s-work-i-just-need-to-maybe-because-i-m-a/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [In the 1960s, the civil rights movement was about getting to know your culture, your history. I know all about my history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/in-the-1960s-the-civil-rights-movement-was-about-getting-to-know-your/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [Tupac loved to read! Books were a constant part of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/tupac-loved-to-read-books-were-a-constant-part-of-his-life/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [Pac was special. He was articulate. I trained him. Punishment for him was reading The New York Times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/pac-was-special-he-was-articulate-i-trained-him-punishment-for-him/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [Arts can save children, no matter what's going on in their homes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/arts-can-save-children-no-matter-what-s-going-on-in-their-homes/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [Trust me, you can't change anything without causing some degree of disruption. It's impossible, that is exactly what change is. Some people are uncomfortable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/trust-me-you-can-t-change-anything-without-causing-some-degree-of/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [The worst thing that can happen to you is if you don't take responsibility for what you did wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/the-worst-thing-that-can-happen-to-you-is-if-you-don-t-take/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I know that my son was an honest person and an honest artist, and what he gave from himself through his art was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/i-know-that-my-son-was-an-honest-person-and-an-honest-artist-and-what/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) [Explore all 52 Afeni Shakur quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When Tupac turned thirteen, we were homeless on that day. 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