--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Would you rather you were able to…" description: "\"“Would you rather you were able to experience the reunion with a long-lost set of parents who had been suffering for years missing and loving you or wo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/aprilynne-pike-4513_laurel_would-you-rather-you-were-able-to-experi_3193518.png" --- # Would you rather you were able to experience the reunion… ![“Would you rather you were able to experience the reunion with a long-lost set of parents who had been suffering for years missing and loving you or would you rather they weren't hurting while you were raised by human parents who adore you?" Laurel swallowed. "I hadn't thought of it that way."…” quote by Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/aprilynne-pike-4513_laurel_would-you-rather-you-were-able-to-experi_3193518.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/aprilynne-pike-4513_laurel_would-you-rather-you-were-able-to-experi_3193518.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c05/aprilynne-pike-4513_laurel_would-you-rather-you-were-able-to-experi_3193518.png) > ““Would you rather you were able to experience the reunion with a long-lost set of parents who had been suffering for years missing and loving you or would you rather they weren't hurting while you were raised by human parents who adore you?" Laurel swallowed. "I hadn't thought of it that way." Tamani smiled softly and lifted a hand to her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and letting his thumb rest on her cheek. "Trust me, it's no picnic missing you. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.”” [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A painful choice between loving but suffering parents and safe, loving adoptive parents, highlighting the complexity of love and sacrifice. **In simple terms:** Choosing between loving but suffering parents and safe, loving adoptive parents. Key Takeaway Consider the true cost of love and loss. Themes love sacrifice family identity choice Mood conflicted thoughtful Type philosophical emotional When to use this quote - adoption decisions - family counseling - ethical debates - personal reflection Key Concepts ethical dilemma emotional conflict parental love Questions to Reflect On - What would you prioritize: love or safety? - How does knowing a parent’s suffering affect your choice? A Different Perspective The decision may ignore the child's agency and long‑term emotional health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Reunion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reunion/) ## Related quotes > [“Tamani smiled softly and lifted a hand to her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and letting his thumb rest on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-smiled-softly-and-lifted-a-hand-to-her-face-tucking-a-strand/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Tamani?" she asked, even though she knew this was the wrong time. "How is a plant supposed to beat a superstrong troll?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-she-asked-even-though-she-knew-this-was-the-wrong-time-how-is/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“One way or another, I'll watch her from a distance, silently and wihtout her knowledge, if that's what it takes. And no matter how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/one-way-or-another-i-ll-watch-her-from-a-distance-silently-and/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Tamani paused and mulled this over for a few seconds. "If I say no, are you going to follow me anyway?" "Of course.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-paused-and-mulled-this-over-for-a-few-seconds-if-i-say-no-are/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Tamani:" "I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't 'steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-i-can-t-just-storm-in-and-proclaim-my-intentions-i-can-t-steal/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“And do you really think someone's going to look at you and say, 'Hmm, I think that girl's a plant'?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/and-do-you-really-think-someone-s-going-to-look-at-you-and-say-hmm-i/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“I've loved you for a long time, ' she said. 'But there was always something holding me back. Maybe it was that I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/i-ve-loved-you-for-a-long-time-she-said-but-there-was-always/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Is he really in love with you?" Chelsea asked after a long, silent moment. "Yes," Laurel admitted, looking up at Chelsea but leaving her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/is-he-really-in-love-with-you-chelsea-asked-after-a-long-silent/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“So there's magic? Real magic? It's not just all scientific like David says?" Tamani rolled his eyes. "David again?" Laurel bristled. "He's my friend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/so-there-s-magic-real-magic-it-s-not-just-all-scientific-like-david/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Laurel nodded slowly, then paused. "I love him, Mom." "I know you do. But there are a lot of different kinds of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/laurel-nodded-slowly-then-paused-i-love-him-mom-i-know-you-do-but/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“He lives for you, Laurel, and that’s not some kind of figure of speech. He lives every day for you. All he did every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/he-lives-for-you-laurel-and-that-s-not-some-kind-of-figure-of-speech/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“It's your call," he said softly, "but whatever you decide, I'll help you." He placed a soft, warm hand at the back of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/it-s-your-call-he-said-softly-but-whatever-you-decide-i-ll-help-you/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“You could be David's friend too". She glanced at Tamani when he said nothing. He was frowning. "The two of you really have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/you-could-be-david-s-friend-too-she-glanced-at-tamani-when-he-said/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“It didn't matter to her that Tamani only had weak magic, he was magic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/it-didn-t-matter-to-her-that-tamani-only-had-weak-magic-he-was-magic/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Oh my gosh, is that an iPhone?!" Laurel asked, her voice unconsciously rising in pitch and volume. Tamani looked up at her, his expression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/oh-my-gosh-is-that-an-iphone-laurel-asked-her-voice-unconsciously/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) ## More by Aprilynne Pike > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Tamani?" she asked, even though she knew this was the wrong time. "How is a plant supposed to beat a superstrong troll?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-she-asked-even-though-she-knew-this-was-the-wrong-time-how-is/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“It didn't matter to her that Tamani only had weak magic, he was magic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/it-didn-t-matter-to-her-that-tamani-only-had-weak-magic-he-was-magic/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“...I'm the last person to tell you that you need a guy to make you happy. But if you're not moving on because you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/i-m-the-last-person-to-tell-you-that-you-need-a-guy-to-make-you-happy/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [ “He exuded wisdom-even the wisest...were pale, flickering candles next to the nourishing solar illumination of \[his\] insights.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/he-exuded-wisdom-even-the-wisest-were-pale-flickering-candles-next-to/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“You could be David's friend too". She glanced at Tamani when he said nothing. He was frowning. "The two of you really have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/you-could-be-david-s-friend-too-she-glanced-at-tamani-when-he-said/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Laurel rolled her eyes. “Now there‟s something I really wanted to know ” she said sarcastically. “Ah come on—everyone wonders.” “Do not ” “Sure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/laurel-rolled-her-eyes-now-there-s-something-i-really-wanted-to-know/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“It's your call," he said softly, "but whatever you decide, I'll help you." He placed a soft, warm hand at the back of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/it-s-your-call-he-said-softly-but-whatever-you-decide-i-ll-help-you/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“You live your life and continue with all of your normal activities. I'll keep you safe," he said stepping forward to sweep a lock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/you-live-your-life-and-continue-with-all-of-your-normal-activities-i/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear. He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-looked-at-her-gravely-and-reached-up-to-tuck-her-hair-behind/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Paranormalcy seduced me. The two sexy paranormals who vie for Evie's affections each had their own victory; one won Evie's heart and the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/paranormalcy-seduced-me-the-two-sexy-paranormals-who-vie-for-evie-s/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [No - the light in Tamani's eyes was much more than a reflection. It was the fire that melted her anger and devastated her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/no-the-light-in-tamani-s-eyes-was-much-more-than-a-reflection-it-was/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“I think I could have won state today. Apparently, you put a troll on my heels and I turn into a superstar.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/i-think-i-could-have-won-state-today-apparently-you-put-a-troll-on-my/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Tamani smiled softly and lifted a hand to her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and letting his thumb rest on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-smiled-softly-and-lifted-a-hand-to-her-face-tucking-a-strand/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Like...instinct?" At that Laurel flopped down on her back, a frustrated breath whooshing out of her. "Oh man, instinct, that's like the F-word in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/like-instinct-at-that-laurel-flopped-down-on-her-back-a-frustrated/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) [Explore all 108 Aprilynne Pike quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) ## More Laurel quotes > [“Life should be so Laurel that we need not Live in Fantasy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhayraj-nanjunde/life-should-be-so-laurel-that-we-need-not-live-in-fantasy/) [Abhayraj Nanjunde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhayraj-nanjunde/) > [“Tamani?" she asked, even though she knew this was the wrong time. "How is a plant supposed to beat a superstrong troll?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/tamani-she-asked-even-though-she-knew-this-was-the-wrong-time-how-is/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“It didn't matter to her that Tamani only had weak magic, he was magic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/it-didn-t-matter-to-her-that-tamani-only-had-weak-magic-he-was-magic/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“You could be David's friend too". She glanced at Tamani when he said nothing. He was frowning. "The two of you really have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/you-could-be-david-s-friend-too-she-glanced-at-tamani-when-he-said/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“Grover cradeled his laurel sapling in his hands. "Well . . . sure is good to be back together again. Arguing. Almost dying. Abject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/grover-cradeled-his-laurel-sapling-in-his-hands-well-sure-is-good-to/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“It's your call," he said softly, "but whatever you decide, I'll help you." He placed a soft, warm hand at the back of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/it-s-your-call-he-said-softly-but-whatever-you-decide-i-ll-help-you/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“what I have with Laurel is public and shallow. What I have with you is private and deep. Which part of me would you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-chamberlain/what-i-have-with-laurel-is-public-and-shallow-what-i-have-with-you-is/) [Diane Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-chamberlain/) > [“The lift of her heart she'd felt on the outcrop she now felt again, and it wasn't just love. She'd felt love before, known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rash/the-lift-of-her-heart-she-d-felt-on-the-outcrop-she-now-felt-again/) [Ron Rash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rash/) > [Laurel and Hardy have this love relationship. Why? This little Englishman screwed Hardy up, physically, every day of his life! Why is he with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-einstein/laurel-and-hardy-have-this-love-relationship-why-this-little/) [Bob Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-einstein/) > [“He lives for you, Laurel, and that’s not some kind of figure of speech. He lives every day for you. All he did every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/he-lives-for-you-laurel-and-that-s-not-some-kind-of-figure-of-speech/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [While other kids were into New Kids on the Block, I was into Harold Lloyd and Stan Laurel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-morgan/while-other-kids-were-into-new-kids-on-the-block-i-was-into-harold/) [Diane Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-morgan/) > [“Laurel nodded slowly, then paused. "I love him, Mom." "I know you do. But there are a lot of different kinds of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/laurel-nodded-slowly-then-paused-i-love-him-mom-i-know-you-do-but/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“So there's magic? Real magic? It's not just all scientific like David says?" Tamani rolled his eyes. "David again?" Laurel bristled. "He's my friend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/so-there-s-magic-real-magic-it-s-not-just-all-scientific-like-david/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [Deathless laurel is the victor's due.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/deathless-laurel-is-the-victor-s-due/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [I loved Laurel and Hardy and TV shows like 'Robin Hood' and 'Rama of the Jungle'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-lang/i-loved-laurel-and-hardy-and-tv-shows-like-robin-hood-and-rama-of-the/) [Stephen Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-lang/) Browse all 74 Laurel quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Would you rather you were able to experience the reunion with a long-lost set of parents who had been suffering for years missing and loving you or would you rather they weren't hurting while you were raised by human parents who adore you?\" Laurel swallowed. \"I hadn't thought of it that way.\" Tamani smiled softly and lifted a hand to her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and letting his thumb rest on her cheek. \"Trust me, it's no picnic missing you. 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