--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was possible, Richard knew, to be away…" description: "\"“It was possible, Richard knew, to be away from home too long, to forget all the things you once knew by heart. He didn’t want just his father, he want..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/alice-hoffman-427_parenting_it-was-possible-richard-knew-to-be-away_672043.jpg" --- # It was possible, Richard knew, to be away from home too… ![“It was possible, Richard knew, to be away from home too long, to forget all the things you once knew by heart. He didn’t want just his father, he wanted the boy he used to be, someone who could be comforted by the sound of his parents talking in the next room, someone who refused to come into the…” quote by Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/alice-hoffman-427_parenting_it-was-possible-richard-knew-to-be-away_672043.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/alice-hoffman-427_parenting_it-was-possible-richard-knew-to-be-away_672043.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51d/alice-hoffman-427_parenting_it-was-possible-richard-knew-to-be-away_672043.jpg) > ““It was possible, Richard knew, to be away from home too long, to forget all the things you once knew by heart. He didn’t want just his father, he wanted the boy he used to be, someone who could be comforted by the sound of his parents talking in the next room, someone who refused to come into the house for supper until after dusk because that was the hour when deer mysteriously appeared in the driveway.”” [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character longs for his childhood self, seeking comfort in familiar sounds and the mystery of nature. **In simple terms:** He misses his youthful self and simple comforts. Key Takeaway Reconnect with childhood wonder. Themes nostalgia identity comfort Mood reflective melancholic inspirational Type literary emotional When to use this quote - family gatherings - nature walks - journaling - mindfulness practice Key Concepts memory nature symbolism psychological longing Questions to Reflect On - What childhood comforts can you revive? - How does nature soothe you? A Different Perspective Idealizing the past can hinder present growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [“Richard knew, of course, that his was thought to be an unlucky title; only twice before had a Richard ruled England, and both met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-kay-penman/richard-knew-of-course-that-his-was-thought-to-be-an-unlucky-title/) [Sharon Kay Penman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-kay-penman/) > [“He had never spoken to Uncle Richard, but he knew that he was a radiologist who put tubes into people's groins and pushed them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-haddon/he-had-never-spoken-to-uncle-richard-but-he-knew-that-he-was-a/) [Mark Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-haddon/) > [“Richard knew he was fighting for his life, and he was terribly happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-kushner/richard-knew-he-was-fighting-for-his-life-and-he-was-terribly-happy/) [Ellen Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-kushner/) > [I love being on the road. 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We keep the best secrets. We tell the best stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/women-know-things-that-men-will-never-know-we-keep-the-best-secrets/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“All of the quarters in his hand were tarnished. He had no idea that the silver in a man’s pockets always turns black if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/all-of-the-quarters-in-his-hand-were-tarnished-he-had-no-idea-that/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [But most important of all, she explained that it was all right to say 'No. I disagree.' that was a gift. 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