--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing can make up for the absence of…" description: "\"“Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love, and it would be wrong to try to find a substitute; we must simply hold out and see it thr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/anonymous-1_hidden-treasure_nothing-can-make-up-for-the-absence-of-s_2157071.jpg" --- # Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we… ![“Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love, and it would be wrong to try to find a substitute; we must simply hold out and see it through. That sounds very hard at first, but at the same time it is a great consolation, for the gap, as long as it remains unfilled, preserves the…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/anonymous-1_hidden-treasure_nothing-can-make-up-for-the-absence-of-s_2157071.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/anonymous-1_hidden-treasure_nothing-can-make-up-for-the-absence-of-s_2157071.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f3/anonymous-1_hidden-treasure_nothing-can-make-up-for-the-absence-of-s_2157071.jpg) > ““Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love, and it would be wrong to try to find a substitute; we must simply hold out and see it through. That sounds very hard at first, but at the same time it is a great consolation, for the gap, as long as it remains unfilled, preserves the bonds between us. It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap; God does not fill it, but on the contrary, God keeps it empty and so helps us keep alive our former communion with each other, even at the cost of pain. . . . The dearer and richer our memories, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. The beauties of the past are borne, not as a thorn in the flesh, but as a precious gift in themselves. We must take care not to wallow in our memories or to hand ourselves over to them, just as we do not gaze all the time at a valuable present, but only at special times, and apart from these keep it simply as a hidden treasure that is ours for certain. In this way the past gives us lasting joy and strength. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Grieving loss leaves a void that cannot be replaced; accepting it preserves love and can become a source of quiet strength through gratitude and memory. **In simple terms:** Loss leaves a void; accepting it can bring quiet strength. Key Takeaway Embrace the emptiness, cherish memories, practice gratitude. Themes grief memory gratitude spirituality Mood reflective hopeful somber Type philosophical inspirational spiritual When to use this quote - bereavement - loneliness - healing - spiritual reflection Key Concepts existential theology psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you honor a lost loved one without clinging to the past? - What practices help transform grief into quiet joy? A Different Perspective Some may argue that seeking comfort elsewhere can aid healing; this view emphasizes staying with pain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consolation Gap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consolation-gap-4561110/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Great Consolation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-consolation-1273707/) [Hidden treasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hidden-treasure/) [Memories Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories-difficult-678667/) [Precious gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-gift/) [Separation Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-gratitude-4561109/) [Special times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special-times/) ## Related quotes > [“There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-is-nothing-that-can-replace-the-absence-of-someone-dear-to-us-2/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Burning old memories is the most difficult thing ever!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/burning-old-memories-is-the-most-difficult-thing-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The Lessons of the Past  Ancient strategists provide us with modes of thinking and practical guidance that we can use in the present.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-lessons-of-the-past-ancient-strategists-provide-us-with-modes-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The most beautiful moments always seemed to accelerate and slip beyond one's grasp just when you want to hold onto them for as long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-beautiful-moments-always-seemed-to-accelerate-and-slip/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our love has grown together...When I think of our life together over the years, all the special times and treasured memories, I know I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-love-has-grown-together-when-i-think-of-our-life-together-over/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Adam hadn’t let himself dwell on that possibility. Every time his thoughts came close to touching on the near miss, it opened up something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/adam-hadn-t-let-himself-dwell-on-that-possibility-every-time-his/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Memories are the most difficult. Everything in life changes, except for memories. They stay the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/memories-are-the-most-difficult-everything-in-life-changes-except-for/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [Even in my own life, there are memories I have that are difficult to explain - happenings that are so odd and unaccountably weird,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/even-in-my-own-life-there-are-memories-i-have-that-are-difficult-to/) [John Hodgman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hodgman/) > [“The weight of memories, they are difficult to escape.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-varona/the-weight-of-memories-they-are-difficult-to-escape/) [Daniel Varona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-varona/) > [“There was quiet, and then Ronan said, "I better go feed the bird." But he looked down at the gearshift instead, eyes unfocused. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/there-was-quiet-and-then-ronan-said-i-better-go-feed-the-bird-but-he/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“The thought of suicide is a great consolation: by means of it one gets through many a dark night.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nietzsche/the-thought-of-suicide-is-a-great-consolation-by-means-of-it-one-gets/) [Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nietzsche/) > [Awful as the consideration of eternity is, it is a source of great consolation to the righteous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-buck/awful-as-the-consideration-of-eternity-is-it-is-a-source-of-great/) [Charles Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-buck/) > [It is a great consolation for me to remember that the Lord, to whom I had drawn near in humble and child-like faith, has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/it-is-a-great-consolation-for-me-to-remember-that-the-lord-to-whom-i/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [“I know I experience great consolation when my mouth is between a woman’s legs. I think it must be because I’m drinking in her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-ames/i-know-i-experience-great-consolation-when-my-mouth-is-between-a/) [Jonathan Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-ames/) > [“When he was gone, they were certain at least of receiving constant information of what was going on, and their uncle promised, at parting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/when-he-was-gone-they-were-certain-at-least-of-receiving-constant/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Gratitude quotes > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. 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Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [I listen to heavy metal thanks to my son. When I argue with him on the kind of music he is listening to, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-listen-to-heavy-metal-thanks-to-my-son-when-i-argue-with-him-on-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [“Thanks for teaching us to talk. Thanks for teaching us to be of the world and in the world and to make our way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-isay/thanks-for-teaching-us-to-talk-thanks-for-teaching-us-to-be-of-the/) [Dave Isay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-isay/) > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [I want to thank each and every one of you for having extinguished yourselves this session.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gib-lewis/i-want-to-thank-each-and-every-one-of-you-for-having-extinguished/) [Gib Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gib-lewis/) > [There is nothing that we can properly call our own but our time, and yet everybody fools us out of it who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-that-we-can-properly-call-our-own-but-our-time-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. 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That sounds very hard at first, but at the same time it is a great consolation, for the gap, as long as it remains unfilled, preserves the bonds between us. It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap; God does not fill it, but on the contrary, God keeps it empty and so helps us keep alive our former communion with each other, even at the cost of pain. . . . The dearer and richer our memories, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. The beauties of the past are borne, not as a thorn in the flesh, but as a precious gift in themselves. We must take care not to wallow in our memories or to hand ourselves over to them, just as we do not gaze all the time at a valuable present, but only at special times, and apart from these keep it simply as a hidden treasure that is ours for certain. 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